On Christmas Day, a prison riot in Mozambique’s capital resulted in the tragic loss of 33 lives and left more than a dozen individuals injured. This unsettling incident occurred amidst ongoing civil unrest in the country, which has persisted since the disputed election in October.
More than 1,500 inmates also escaped the prison in Maputo on the third day of unrest in the African nation. The unrest was triggered by the controversial judicial confirmation of the ruling Frelimo party’s victory in the election, according to authorities.
According to the nation’s interior minister, Pascoal Ronda, the violence was initiated by supporters of the defeated presidential candidate, Venancio Mondlan.
According to national police chief Bernardino Rafael, a whopping 1,534 detainees managed to escape the prison situated approximately 15km away from the capital.
According to the official, there were 33 fatalities and 15 injuries among those who were trying to escape during the clashes with prison staff.
According to the police chief, a joint operation involving the military resulted in the apprehension of approximately 150 fugitives.
Mr. Rafael attributed the riot to the protests outside the prison, but justice minister Helena Kida stated in an interview with local broadcaster Miramar TV that the unrest actually originated within the prison and was unrelated to the external protests.
In a concerning development, the Minister of Justice disclosed that there have been attempts to escape from two additional prisons. Expressing deep concern for the safety and security of Mozambicans and the security forces, he stated, “As a country, we are worried about this situation.” Anticipating a potential surge in criminal activities, he added, “We can expect a rise in crime within the next 48 hours.”
The prison riots erupted a day following the outbreak of violence that resulted in the death of 21 individuals, subsequent to the judiciary’s confirmation of Daniel Chapo as the winning presidential candidate on Monday.
Mozambique’s Frelimo leader emerged victorious in the elections, securing an impressive 65 percent of the vote. However, his opponent raised allegations of election rigging, leading to a wave of violence across the country.
Protesters took to the streets in the capital and the city of Beira, burning and looting shops. Disturbing photos and videos circulated on social media, capturing the chaos and destruction caused by the demonstrators. Reports also surfaced of local officials fleeing the scene, alarmed by the escalating violence.
According to AFP news agency, demonstrators celebrated Christmas by setting up tables in the streets to occupy the space.
Mr. Mondlane urged for a “shutdown” to commence on Friday, despite the ongoing tension in the capital.
Mozambique, a country with a population of 34 million people, has been experiencing intense tension following the general election on 9 October. Supporters of Mr. Mondlane, who are predominantly young individuals, have been participating in street protests. However, these demonstrations have been met with gunfire from security forces, further escalating the situation.
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