Mozambique: Unrest Amid Police Violence Sparks Protests in Maputo
A young man was shot dead by police in Maputo, sparking protests and unrest on the “Day of the True Heroes of the Mozambican People.” Eyewitnesses claim that police fired tear gas and live ammunition without provocation. The incident is part of ongoing post-election violence that has claimed nearly 400 lives. Calls for remembrance and justice resonate within the community, reflecting the turbulent political landscape in Mozambique.
On Tuesday, a young man was fatally shot in Maputo amidst ongoing social unrest in Mozambique, marking yet another incident of violence associated with post-election tensions. Citizens, blaming police for the incident, protested by carrying the victim’s body to the National 4 (N4) road, prompting a police response. The unrest began in Casa Branca, approximately 500 meters from the Maputo tolls, coinciding with the celebration of the “Day of the True Heroes of the Mozambican People,” an unofficial holiday declared by former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane.
Eyewitnesses reported that police entered the neighborhood near the N4 and aggressively confronted residents, resulting in the shooting of the young man in the head. Witness accounts indicate that police fired tear gas and gunshots into the crowd without warning. One protestor expressed, “It’s a normal holiday, nobody closed the road. Suddenly, the Municipal Council and the UIR show up and start firing without asking anything.”
Protests intensified as residents reacted violently, throwing stones at passing vehicles, including police cars, and attempting to vandalize nearby shops. Responding to heightened tensions, police shot into the crowd. “They [police] immediately shot me in the head, leaving, without asking (…) We didn’t do anything,” a witness recounted. By 11:30 local time, demonstrators had blocked traffic on the N4, demanding justice for the victim, triggering further police deployment and the use of tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the crowd.
The police eventually managed to retrieve the deceased’s body amidst significant community resistance. Venâncio Mondlane, contesting the legitimacy of the 9 October elections, proclaimed 18 March as a day of remembrance for the Mozambican people, leading to many observing a holiday in Maputo, where traffic was unusually light and protests occurred in various neighborhoods.
On 18 March 2023, police were reported to have received unclear orders to break up peaceful marches honoring the late rapper Azagaia, exacerbating public mistrust. Hundreds gathered at Michafutene cemetery to commemorate Azagaia and Elvino Dias, the latter known as “the people’s lawyer,” who was violently killed in October 2024. The incidents reflect ongoing violence that has claimed approximately 400 lives since the elections, according to various non-governmental organizations.
Mondlane honors individuals such as Edson da Luz (Azagaia) and Elvino Dias as national heroes, alongside historically significant figures in Mozambique’s political landscape. The ongoing turmoil underscores the deep-seated issues stemming from the recent electoral processes.
The recent shooting of a young man by police in Maputo has exacerbated existing tensions related to Mozambique’s post-election environment, leading to public outrage and protests. Eyewitness accounts reveal aggressive police tactics and further violence, provoking discussions surrounding the legitimacy of recent elections proclaimed by Venâncio Mondlane. The unrest highlights the critical social challenges in Mozambique, where the legacy of political violence continues to impact community dynamics. Efforts to honor victims and call for justice, however, shed light on the populace’s resilience amidst adversity.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
