The government, through the Defence and Security Forces (FDS), has promised to use ‘all the means at its disposal’ to prevent the demonstrations called by Podemos presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, arguing that they are illegal and do not comply with the law.
‘The FDS will use all the means at its disposal to ensure that social ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, parties, among others, can take place, including the normal functioning of institutions,’ declared Mozambique’s interior minister, Pascoal Ronda, at a press conference in Maputo.
He argued that the intervention of the FDS to contain demonstrations and marches should not be seen as ‘excessive use of force’, asking that it be seen as an act to restore ‘public order, security and tranquillity’ with the aim of allowing businesses to function normally.
‘It should not be confused with excessive use of force when the authorities deploy their resources for the proportional protection of critical public and private infrastructure. The action of the police forces is aimed at fulfilling the sacred duty of protecting the homeland,’ he said.
Pascoal Ronda accused Venâncio Mondlane of calling for violent demonstrations against the state, labelling them illegal and failing to comply with the requirements of the law. ‘These acts, which are contrary to the law and which, because of their seriousness, jeopardise social peace and harmony, public order and tranquillity, the right of people to move freely and the full exercise of the rights and freedoms of other citizens, are vehemently repudiated and condemned. Zero tolerance for these subversive acts of terror,’ he warned.
In October, the National Electoral Commission (CNE) announced the results of the general elections, which gave victory to Daniel Chapo, supported by the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo, the party in power since 1975) in the election for President of the Republic, with 70.67 per cent of the votes, which triggered popular protests that have been going on for more than 30 days, called by Venâncio Mondlane.
According to the CNE, Mondlane came second with 20.32%, but it does not recognise the results, which still have to be validated and proclaimed by the Constitutional Council (CC).
On Monday, 2 December, the presidential candidate announced another week of peaceful demonstrations across the country, scheduled to take place between 4 and 11 December. Dubbed the ‘Four by Four Period’, the initiative is part of the fourth stage of a series of protests promoted by the politician and will be concentrated in neighbourhoods in different regions.
Mondlane stressed that the aim is to widely mobilise society and propose symbolic actions, including the suspension of flights to Mozambique as a sign of protest. According to the candidate, the demonstrations are organised to allow the population to travel to work until 8am, and between 8am and 3.30pm all activities involving motorised vehicles should be suspended.
‘We want only pedestrians to move around the streets, and participants without vehicles should wear placards on their clothes, while those with vehicles should pin messages to their cars,’ Mondlane explained during a live stream on his official Facebook page.
