Mozambique and, more specifically, the country’s capital, Maputo, has been on high alert since the early hours of the day, anticipating an escalation in the protests surrounding last month’s disputed elections, with the opposition announcing a never-before-seen protest towards the city centre, and the security forces in a state of alert.
Opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, a forestry engineer, former Renamo MP and evangelical pastor, has in recent weeks called on his supporters to take to the streets en masse on Thursday to reinforce his claim that he won last month’s presidential election. The official results showed the ruling party’s (Frelimo) candidate, Daniel Chapo, as the winner.
Venâncio Mondlane will not be in Maputo today
Mondlane, who left the country last month for fear of his life, backed out of his promise to return to lead the demonstration after being warned that it would not be safe to do so. ‘There were thousands of messages from Mozambicans in Mozambique and in the diaspora begging me not to go to Maputo,’ he said in a text message from an unknown location. ‘There were letters, audios, videos, emails.’
The instability led a terminal operator in Maputo harbour to suspend operations and shook investor confidence in the country. Mozambique’s Eurobonds, worth 900 million dollars and maturing in 2031, fell 0.2 per cent by 11.46am on Thursday in Maputo, to 83.59 cents on the dollar. A close at this level would be the lowest since 25 July.
This context in which the country finds itself leaves it in a political, social and economic impasse unseen in the last 50 years, since the struggle for independence. At least 24 people have died in the protests that erupted after the 9 October elections, and the defence minister even confirmed on Monday that there is a plan afoot to seize power illegally.
Mondlane promised that Thursday would be a ‘day of liberation for Mozambique’ from the party that has ruled since independence from Portugal (Frelimo) 49 years ago. Chapo has kept a low profile since the elections, saying that dialogue should be the basis for resolving conflicts.
Capital under siege and army on the streets
Maputo’s Julius Nyerere Avenue, home to several embassies, company headquarters and, of course, the centre of political power, with the Presidency, has been completely deserted since Thursday morning, as armoured military vehicles and police patrolled the area. Elsewhere in the city, the police have been trying to disperse demonstrators with tear gas, although there are reports and videos circulating on social media in which it is clear that there have been some clashes between the police and members of the FADM themselves, who are on the streets controlling the movement of people and apparently guaranteeing the safety of the demonstrators.
However, there is a large crowd moving along Avenida Eduardo Mondlane, coming from all over Maputo’s urban belt, along the main access roads to the capital and there are reports of shots being fired in the Coop area and on several of the city’s main arteries. Closer to the Presidency, Julius Nyerere is closed, and the presidential guard has blocked the avenue from the intersection with Mao Tsé Tung, from the Ombudsman’s Office to the women’s detachment, with armoured vehicles, while protesters shout ‘people in power!’
With fears of growing violence, several embassies in Mozambique called for restraint. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called for an immediate de-escalation and respect for the right to peaceful assembly.
Neighbouring South Africa closed its main land border and called for calm, warning its citizens to avoid travelling to Mozambique.
Access to Julius Nyerere Avenue is closed
Internet restrictions
The authorities in Maputo have repeatedly restricted internet access since the weekend, making it difficult for Mondlane to guide his supporters through daily live broadcasts, which have attracted millions of views since he announced he had left the country on 21 October.
The forestry engineer has sought the support of millions of unemployed young people in a country where the average age is 17, and one in three young people is unemployed and not attending school.
Defence Minister Cristóvão Chume said on Tuesday that the government is investigating the potential use of excessive force by the police, who have used live ammunition to contain the protests. At least one police officer has died.
An influential group of Catholic bishops has called for dialogue between the political leaders. Mondlane has said he is willing to negotiate, with conditions, including the return of what he claims is the true result of the elections.
Verification of votes
Outgoing President Filipe Nyusi said that the Constitutional Council must first verify the final results, and that the disputing parties must build trust before starting dialogue.
Mozambique’s top court gave the electoral commission until Thursday (14) to clarify discrepancies in the number of voters in last month’s three different elections – presidential, parliamentary and provincial assemblies.
‘The most likely resolution to the current political crisis will be a recount of the votes in several districts,’ said the Eurasia group in a note this week.
