The European Union (EU) this Tuesday (24) expressed its extreme concern at the post-election violence in the country and the considerable loss of life so far, calling for the perpetrators to be held accountable, Lusa reported.
In an official statement on the proclamation on Monday (23) of the results of the 9 October general elections in Mozambican President by the Constitutional Council (CC), which confirmed the election of Daniel Chapo as President of the Republic, the EU called on the parties to exercise restraint and refrain from any action that could further exacerbate tensions.
‘We also call for accountability and justice to resolve cases of human rights violations,’ the statement said, recalling that, as a testimony to its ongoing commitment to contribute to strengthening democracy in Mozambique, the EU sent an Electoral Observation Mission (EUOM) to the Mozambican elections, with around 180 staff.
‘The EUEOM found irregularities during the counting of votes and the unjustified alteration of election results. The mission called on the electoral bodies to ensure maximum transparency in the counting and tabulation process,’ reads the statement.
At least 16 people have died in Mozambique and 42 have been shot since Monday in the protests against the results of the 9 October general elections proclaimed by the CC, according to the Decide electoral platform.
In the same statement, the EU said that it remains available to support Mozambique in reforming the electoral system and that the forthcoming recommendations of the EUEOM could contribute to this reform.
Nevertheless, it encourages the President-elect and the new administration to quickly start a constructive dialogue with the opposition and the relevant civil society organisations, in order to re-establish the social contract with the population and to ensure that democratic values and human rights are respected.
‘The European Union-Mozambique partnership is comprehensive and its foundation is the Mozambican people. The EU renews its commitment to supporting a prosperous and peaceful future for the people of Mozambique,’ he concluded.
On Monday afternoon, the CC proclaimed Daniel Chapo, the candidate supported by the ruling Mozambican Liberation Front (Frelimo), as the winner of the election for Mozambican President, with 65.17% of the votes, succeeding Filipe Nyusi in office, as well as the victory of Frelimo, which retained its parliamentary majority, in the general elections on 9 October.
This announcement caused chaos throughout the country, with demonstrators on the streets, barricades, looting and clashes with the police, who have been firing shots in an attempt to demobilise them.
The capital, Maputo, experienced another day of chaos, with avenues blocked by demonstrators, burning tyres and all kinds of barricades in protest at the announcement of the results, which involved looting and destruction of various private and public establishments, including banks.
These demonstrations and stoppages, which since 21 October – the day before Monday – had already resulted in the deaths of at least 120 people, have been called by presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, who does not recognise the results initially announced by the National Electoral Commission (CNE) and now proclaimed by the CC, which give him around 24% of the vote.
In addition to Venâncio Mondlane, Ossufo Momade, leader of the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo, until now the largest opposition party) and Lutero Simango, president of the Mozambican Democratic Movement (MDM, the third largest parliamentary party), both presidential candidates, have announced that they do not recognise the election results.
The proclamation of these results by the Constitutional Council confirmed the victory of Daniel Chapo, a 47-year-old lawyer and current Frelimo secretary-general, announced on 24 October by the CNE, but at the time with 70.67%.
‘The time has come to think calmly and serenely about the best way to create a democratic reality that represents the richness and diversity of the country. This dialogue is the key to overcoming our differences,’ said Chapo after the results were announced.
