Rising Violence Against Political Supporters in Mozambique: Another Murder Reported
The “Decide” Electoral Platform has reported the murder of Leão de Deus, an ardent supporter of former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, in Inhambane. His death, along with others, brings the total number of Mondlane supporters killed by death squads to 13, amid escalating violence against opposition members in Mozambique post-election.
The Mozambican NGO, “Decide” Electoral Platform, has condemned the recent murder of Leão de Deus, a supporter of former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, in Zavala district, Inhambane. The victim was reportedly kidnapped on Saturday and found shot dead in the Chissibuca region. The statement from “Decide” highlighted that his strong political convictions had made him a noticeable figure within Mondlane’s movement.
Mozambican police have not yet provided any comments regarding these violent incidents. Following this incident, the death toll of Mondlane supporters killed by death squads has escalated to 13. In a separate episode occurring last week, two Mondlane supporters were murdered by unknown assailants in Massinga district.
The violence has continued with previous killings, including that of Elvino Dias, Mondlane’s lawyer, and Paulo Guambe, an election agent, in central Maputo last October. Despite happening in a populated area, no arrests have been made. Additionally, the brutal murder of João de Deus Nhachengo in March occurred alongside that of demonstrator leader Ivo Armando Nhantumbo, further highlighting the ongoing threats against political activists.
Overall, the situation reflects a grim trend of violence against opposition members in Mozambique, with the number of killings in the post-electoral context now reaching a total of 14, as documented by various observers.
In conclusion, the continued violence against supporters of Venâncio Mondlane in Mozambique underscores a troubling pattern of political violence. The documented murders and kidnappings, including that of Leão de Deus, highlight the urgent need for increased safety measures for political activists. The lack of police response and accountability raises serious concerns about the state of democratic practices in the country.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
