Mozambique’s National Defence and Security Council (CNDS) today called on the Defence and Security Forces to prioritise dialogue with the people during the demonstrations to contest the October elections, admitting ‘disastrous consequences’ for the economy.
‘[The CNDS] called for the Defence and Security Forces [FDS] to continue to prioritise dialogue with the population and for their actions to prioritise the protection of the lives and property of Mozambicans,’ reads a statement from the Presidency of Mozambique, sent to the media after an extraordinary meeting of the body in Maputo, led by the Mozambican head of state, Filipe Nyusi.
The Defence and Security Council recognised the constitutional right to demonstrate, but deplored the involvement of children in the protests, the hindrance to the functioning of institutions, the free movement of people and goods and the ‘veiled attempt to subvert the legitimately established democratic order’.
The demonstrations, it said, had ‘disastrous consequences’ for the Mozambican economy, calling on the authorities to identify those responsible for the acts so that they can be ‘duly held accountable’.
‘The body sent its heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones as a result of the demonstrations and sympathises with the entrepreneurs whose businesses were vandalised or looted,’ said the document, in which the CNDS saluted the FDS for the “posture and sense of state” demonstrated during the protests, which contributed to the restoration of security and public tranquillity.
Mozambique, and above all Maputo, the capital, have been experiencing stoppages of activities and demonstrations called since 21 October by Venâncio Mondlane, who does not recognise the results of the general elections announced by the National Electoral Commission, which give victory to Daniel Chapo and the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo, the ruling party).
The Mozambican Public Prosecutor’s Office has already opened 208 criminal cases to hold responsible the ‘moral and material’ perpetrators of the violence in the post-election demonstrations, the Attorney General’s Office also announced on Tuesday, holding presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane responsible.
Presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane has called for a new period of national demonstrations in Mozambique, for three days, starting today, in all provincial capitals, including Maputo, challenging the process of the general elections on 9 October.
Lusa
