FILE PHOTO: A barricade burns Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in protests that have engulfed the country after the opposition rejected the results of the country’s polls which saw the Frelimo party extend its 58-year rule. (Associated Press Photo/Carlos Uqueio, File)
wolf run slotsMAPUTO, Mozambique — Violence that engulfed Mozambique after the country’s highest court confirmed ruling Frelimo party presidential candidate Daniel Chapo as the winner of disputed Oct. 9 elections killed at least 21 people, including two police officers, authorities said Tuesday.
Mozambique Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda told a news conference in Maputo late Tuesday that a wave of violence and looting was sparked by the court’s announcement a day earlier. He said it was led by mostly youthful supporters of losing candidate Venancio Mondlane, who received 24 percent of the vote, second to Chapo, who got 65 percent.
Article continues after this advertisement“From the preliminary survey, in the last 24 hours, 236 acts of violence were recorded throughout the national territory that resulted in 21 deaths, of which two members of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique also died,” Ronda said. He said 13 civilians and 12 police were injured.
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Ronda said 25 vehicles were set on fire, including two police vehicles. He added that 11 police subunits and a penitentiary were attacked and vandalized and 86 inmates were freed.
Article continues after this advertisementTensions were high in the country ahead of the Constitutional Council ruling on Monday and violent protests started immediately after the announcement was made.
Humpert, who has been raising sheep in northwestern Germany’s Marienmuenster since 1986 in a bid to save endangered breeds, has since lost 140 of her 500 sheep.
Article continues after this advertisementFootage circulating on various social media platforms showed protesters burning and looting shops in the capital Maputo and the city of Beira, where some city officials were reported to have fled the city.
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Mondlane has called for a “shutdown” starting Friday but violence in the country has already escalated and the situation remained tense in the capital on Tuesday night following a day of violence and looting by protesters.
Article continues after this advertisementThe country of 34 million people has been on edge since the Oct. 9 general elections. Mondlane’s supporters, mostly hundreds of thousands of young people, have since taken to the streets, and have been met by gunfire from security forces.
This brings to more than 150 the number of people who have died from post-election violence since the initial results were announced by the country’s electoral body.
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