More than 20 people were killed in riots after the Constitutional Council announced the official results of the presidential election in Mozambique. According to official information, the candidate of the ruling Frelimo party won the election. Opponents claim that the voting results were falsified.
According to the authorities, within 24 hours after the announcement of the sentence on Monday, a total of 236 acts of violence were registered, as a result of which at least 21 people were killed and 25 people, including 13 police officers, were injured.
Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda said in an interview with TVM public television that so far 78 people have been arrested and security measures have been strengthened throughout the country. – The armed and defense forces are increasing their presence in important and important points, he added.
Riots in Mozambique PAP/EPA
Presidential elections in Mozambique
According to the Central Electoral Commission, Daniel Chapo, the candidate of the Frelimo party, which has been in power since Mozambique's independence in 1975, won the October 9 election. He should have received 71 percent. votes and opposition candidate Venancio Mondlain – 36 percent.
However, the Constitutional Council reported different voting results. According to them, Chapo got about 65 percent. votes and Mondlane – about 24 percent in parallel elections, the Council also gave Frelimo less space than the Central Electoral Commission. The reason for these differences has not been explained.
Opponents claim that Mondlane won the presidential election with 53 percent of supporters. Western observers believe that the election was neither free nor fair. The opposition candidate rejected the results announced on Monday.
Daniel Chapo poses with his PAP/EPA supporters
Mass protests
When Mozambique's Central Electoral Commission announced the results of the vote in late October, it sparked mass protests. Demonstrators took to the streets of many cities. Clashes with security services ensued, in which at least 130 people were killed. The civil unrest has already affected the operations of foreign companies, including Australian mining company South32. Neighboring South Africa has temporarily closed its main border crossing with Mozambique due to the unrest.
The new president of Mozambique is scheduled to be sworn in in January.
Riots in Mozambique PAP/EPA
Main photo source: PAP/EPA
