Opposition figures killed during election protests – DW – 10/20/2024

Two associates of Mozambique’s main opposition candidate, Venancio Mondlane, were shot dead in Mozambique’s capital Maputo on Saturday.

This follows elections on October 9, after which the opposition accused the ruling Frelimo party of electoral fraud.

What do we know about the murders?

Lawyer Elvino Dias and candidate Paulo Guambe were in a car in downtown Maputo when they were surrounded by other vehicles and shot at, witnesses said.

Witnesses said two gunmen fired 20 bullets during the attack.

Guambe was a candidate for the Podemos party which supported Mondlane for president in the October 9 elections.

Podemos leader Albino Forquilha confirmed the killings to the AFP news agency.

Police said an investigation had been launched but did not immediately confirm the identity of the two men killed.

They said a woman was also in the car and was taken to the hospital.

Police spokesman Leonel Muchina said the victims had previously gone to a local bar, after which they were followed. He said the killings could be linked to interactions with other patrons at the bar.

On Saturday evening, Mondlane joined around 100 supporters who held a vigil in Maputo.

Mozambique awaits election results amid fraud allegations

Mozambique’s general election results are due to be released on October 24.

The ruling Frelimo party, which has governed Mozambique since its independence from Portugal in 1975, claimed victory shortly after polling day.

Mondlane alleged fraud and called on Mozambicans to take to the streets on Monday.

Last year, Dias accused authorities of fraud in municipal elections won by Frelimo.

A civil society observer group, Mais Integridade, said Dias had expressed fears about a plan to assassinate him.

Reactions to the murders

But Integridade called the attack “repugnant”, describing it as an “act of intimidation” undermining democracy.

The Frelimo party said it “vehemently rejects this macabre act” and called on “all authorities to do everything in their power to shed light on this matter.”

Podemos said the killings were “clear new proof of the lack of justice to which we are all subjected.”

The European Union issued a statement condemning the killings and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

“In a democracy, there is no place for politically motivated killings,” he said.

Separately, the Portuguese parliament said it “vehemently” condemned the killings and urged Mozambican authorities to safeguard “social peace and democracy.”

sdi/rm (AFP, Lusa, Reuters, AP)