South Africa on Thursday (7) expressed ‘deep concern’ at the growing wave of violence sweeping the country following the general elections, calling for ‘calm’ and ‘restraint’ on the part of all involved. The situation has become critical with the confirmation of at least 16 deaths and more than a hundred injured during clashes and demonstrations in Mozambique’s main cities, including the capital, Maputo, according to Lusa.
In an official statement, Ronald Lamola, head of South African diplomacy, and Verónica Macamo, Mozambique’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, discussed the unfolding crisis on the phone.
According to the South African ministerial spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, the conversation between the two leaders centred on the process of validating the election results by the Constitutional Council and the security plans to calm the situation in the border region.
‘Pretoria is calling for calm and restraint so that the electoral process can be finalised safely, allowing the Constitutional Council to validate the results independently and in accordance with its mandate,’ said Phiri.
Tensions have risen since the National Electoral Commission (CNE) announced on 24 October the victory of Daniel Chapo, the candidate of the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), with 70.67% of the vote. The result was contested by the opposition candidate, Venâncio Mondlane, who obtained 20.32 per cent and claimed electoral fraud, calling for mass demonstrations against the decision.
Mondlane also called the population to a seven-day general strike, culminating in a national demonstration scheduled for this Thursday in Maputo. In response, the Mozambican authorities mobilised security forces and adopted measures to contain the demonstrations.
In recent hours, South African police dispersed a group of Mozambican demonstrators protesting at the Lebombo border crossing, which was temporarily closed for security reasons.
South Africa, through its spokesperson, expressed its sorrow for the victims and the destruction of property, and called on the Mozambican security forces to swiftly investigate the incidents and hold those involved accountable. ‘We regret the loss of life and call on the authorities to act rigorously to prevent further episodes of violence,’ said Phiri.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has already called an extraordinary summit, scheduled for the 20th in Zimbabwe, with the aim of discussing regional solutions to the situation in Mozambique.
Meanwhile, tension remains high in the country, with various sectors of civil society warning of the need for urgent mediation to guarantee peace and allow the electoral process to take place without further violence.
