The Republic of Mozambique Police (PRM) sent text messages to people’s mobile phones in the early hours of Thursday (31), warning of the risk of vandalism and other practices it considers ‘criminal’ during the general strike called by presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane. The strike, which will last a week, was launched as a way of contesting the results of the 9 October general elections, according to RTP.
‘The vandalisation and sabotage of infrastructure and public and private property, the obstruction of access routes and the burning of tyres on the roads are acts that negatively interfere with public order in the country,’ reads the SMS sent by the PRM, which ends by appealing to the population to “refrain from these criminal practices”.
The general strike and demonstrations called are aimed at challenging the election results, in which Daniel Chapo, supported by Frelimo, was announced as the winner of the presidential election with 70.67 per cent of the votes, while Mondlane, from the extra-parliamentary Podemos party, obtained 20.32 per cent. The results are still awaiting validation by the Constitutional Council.
In the morning, the city of Maputo showed signs of paralysis, with few establishments open and a limited flow of public transport. There was also increased policing on the capital’s main roads, although no significant incidents had been reported so far.
In addition, Internet services such as WhatsApp were limited in some areas of Maputo, making communication difficult.
This protest, described by Mondlane as the ‘third phase’ of opposition to the election results, follows demonstrations held on 21, 24 and 25 October, which culminated in clashes with police forces, resulting in at least ten deaths, dozens of injuries and around 500 detainees, according to the Centre for Public Integrity.
Mondlane’s call has the support of around 40 opposition parties, mostly extra-parliamentary, who have formed an ‘unprecedented alliance’ against the results announced by the National Electoral Commission (CNE). This alliance promised to ‘lead the people’ in the protest and emphasised that demonstrating is a constitutional right.
The government, for its part, reiterated its intention to maintain the normal functioning of the country during the strike week. ‘Our appeal is for companies to remain open and for workers to go to their workplaces. ‘We will do our best to guarantee safety and avoid stoppages that could have major effects on the national economy,’ said Silvino Moreno, Minister of Industry and Commerce.
The PRM also announced the opening of criminal proceedings against Mondlane and his supporters, accusing them of inciting violence via social media.
According to Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda, Mondlane is coordinating the demonstrations from South Africa, with calls for the demonstrators to concentrate near the district headquarters of the National Electoral Commission and the headquarters of the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), the party in power since 1975.
