21 dead as Mozambique erupts in violence after electoral court ruling | News, Sports, Jobs

FILE – A barricade burns in Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, amid protests that swept the country after the opposition rejected the results of the country’s polls, in which the Frelimo party extended its 58. – rule of the year. (AP Photo/Carlos Uqueio, File)

MAPUTO, Mozambique (AP) — Violence that gripped Mozambique after the country’s highest court confirmed ruling Frelimo party candidate Daniel Chapo as the winner of disputed Oct. 9 elections has killed at least 21 people, including two police officers, authorities said Tuesday.

Mozambique’s interior minister, Pascoal Ronda, told a news conference in Maputo on Tuesday night that a wave of violence and looting had been triggered by the court’s announcement a day earlier. He said it was largely led by young supporters of losing candidate Venancio Mondlane, who received 24 percent of the vote, second only to Chapo, who got 65 percent.

“From the preliminary survey, in the last 24 hours, 236 acts of violence were recorded throughout the national territory that resulted in 21 deaths, including two members of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique.” Ronda said. He said 13 civilians and 12 policemen were injured.

Ronda said 25 vehicles were set on fire, including two police vehicles. He added that 11 police sub-units and a penitentiary were attacked and vandalized and 86 inmates were released.

Tensions were high in the country before the Constitutional Council’s decision on Monday, and violent protests began immediately after the announcement.

Images circulating on various social media platforms showed protesters burning and looting shops in the capital Maputo and in the city of Beira, where some city officials were reported to have fled the city.

Mondlane asked to “close” since Friday, but violence in the country has already escalated, and the situation remained tense in the capital on Tuesday evening, after a day of violence and looting by protesters.

The country of 34 million people has been in a frenzy since the October 9 general election. Mondlane’s supporters, mostly hundreds of thousands of young people, have since taken to the streets and been met by gunfire from security forces.

This brings to over 150 the number of people who have died in post-election violence since initial results were announced by the country’s electoral body.