In Mozambique, tensions dey rise after opposition presidential candidate, Venâncio Mondlane, accuse security services of killing his lawyer and a senior party official. The lawyer, Elvino Dias, and the party official, Paulo Guamba, were shot dead by unknown gunmen on Friday night in the capital, Maputo.
Mondlane, who dey challenge the ruling Frelimo party in the October 9 presidential election, call on his supporters to take to the streets in protest. On Monday, police fire tear gas at Mondlane and his supporters as dem try to assemble near the scene of the killings. Video footage show tear gas canisters landing close to Mondlane, his aides, supporters, and reporters, forcing dem to run for cover.
The opposition had call for a national strike and demonstrations to protest alleged fraud in the elections. Preliminary results show Frelimo candidate, Daniel Chapo, in the lead, but Mondlane and his party, Podemos, reject these results and claim the elections were fraudulent.
International community, including the African Union, European Union, and United Nations, condemn the killings and call for an immediate investigation. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urge all Mozambicans to remain calm and reject all forms of violence.
Mozambique security forces don dey criticized for violently clamping down on dissent and disrupting peaceful protests. Human rights groups say police have previously opened fire on protesters, and many fear Monday’s protest could turn bloody.
