Post-election violence in Mozambique kills 125 in three days

Although international observers expressed concern about irregularities in the October 9 election, the country’s highest court confirmed on Monday that Daniel Chapo of the Frelimo party, in power since 1975, had won the presidential race with 65.17 % of votes.

This announcement sparked opposition protests that often turned into clashes with police, with buildings burned and supermarkets looted.

Late on Tuesday, the government reported a toll of 21 dead in the first 24 hours of riots in several major cities of the southern African nation.

The national police chief then announced on Wednesday that a mass escape had taken place near the capital Maputo, leaving at least 33 inmates dead in clashes with prison staff as they tried to escape.

The NGO Plataforma Decide on Thursday put the death toll at 125 since Monday, also bringing the total number of deaths since the violence erupted in October to 252.

The worst affected areas include around the capital, northern provinces including Nampula and the country’s second largest city, Beira.

More than 4,000 people have been arrested since October in connection with demonstrations that often turn violent, including 137 arrests in the past three days, the NGO said.

Chapo’s main challenger, exiled opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, claimed the election was rigged.

Mondlane on Thursday accused security forces of encouraging recent unrest and looting to allow authorities to declare a state of emergency and crush protests.

Some barricades around the capital were dismantled on Thursday, but many remained in place restricting traffic, according to an AFP journalist in Maputo. Public transport was also suspended.