Former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane on Tuesday criticised statements made on Monday by the Mozambican president about the need to “defend the homeland” against demonstrations, “even if it means bloodshed”, describing the speech as unconstitutional.
“In Mozambique there is no death penalty (…) Our Constitution says that the right to life is a fundamental right and that is why in Mozambique there is no death penalty. We cannot in any way, regardless of our position, go public and say that in order to preserve this or that, we are going to shed blood,” said Mondlane, during official ceremonies celebrating five years since the elevation of Vilankulo, in Inhambane province, to the category of municipality.
At issue were Chapo’s statements during a rally in the city of Pemba, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, where he is on a working visit until 26 February.
“Just as we are fighting terrorism and there are young people who are shedding blood for the territorial integrity of Mozambique, for the sovereignty of Mozambique, to maintain our independence, here in Cabo Delgado, even if it is to shed blood to defend this homeland against demonstrations, we will shed blood,” said the Mozambican president.
For Mondlane, Daniel Chapo’s position violates a constitutionally established right: the right to demonstrate.
“The right to demonstrate, as long as it is peaceful, is constitutional,” he emphasised.
Since October, Mozambique has been experiencing a climate of intense social unrest, with demonstrations and stoppages called by Mondlane, who rejects the election results of 9 October, which saw Daniel Chapo win the presidential election.
The protests, now on a smaller scale, have been taking place in different parts of the country and, as well as contesting the results, people are complaining about the rising cost of living and other social problems.
Since October, at least 327 people have died, including around two dozen minors, and around 750 have been shot during the protests, according to the electoral platform Decide, a non-governmental organisation that monitors electoral processes.
Lusa
