Ready to die: protesters face bullets for political change in Mozambique: Photo: Courtesy
Mozambique Opposition Plans New Protests Amid Contested Presidential Election
By Adonis Byemelwa
Mozambique’s opposition has called for fresh protests against the disputed October 9 presidential election results, in which ruling Frelimo party candidate Daniel Chapo claimed victory with 71% of the vote.
Opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, alleging widespread electoral fraud, urged supporters to return to the streets, following massive protests in Maputo on Thursday. Human rights groups report that at least 30 people have died in clashes with security forces since nationwide demonstrations began.
While the voting process was largely peaceful, opposition supporters and observers reported extensive irregularities, including allegations of ballot stuffing and misuse of government resources to bolster the ruling party’s campaign.
Voter turnout was reported at just 43%, with lower participation in northern provinces like Nampula, where turnout dropped to 28%. European Union observers noted they were barred from several districts and reported irregular vote counting across multiple regions.
On October 24, Mozambique’s National Electoral Commission declared Chapo of Frelimo the winner of the presidential race. However, opposition parties maintain that significant fraud marred the election. Their claims are under review by Mozambique’s Constitutional Council, which is expected to issue a final ruling later this month.
Mondlane, a charismatic pastor backed by the Optimistic People for the Development of Mozambique (PODEMOS), a new political party founded in 2019, has gained substantial support, particularly among the youth on social media. “He’s a popular figure tied to the Pentecostal branch, invoking a kind of messianic mission,” Alex Vines of Chatham House told Al Jazeera.
After announcing the results, Mondlane and other opposition leaders called for a week of protests. Tragically, Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe, an attorney and candidate from Mondlane’s team, were shot dead in Maputo while preparing to contest the election.
Human Rights Watch has reported that at least 18 people have died in the protests so far, with additional fatalities reported in clashes with police in the provinces of Nampula and Zambezia.
Authorities have implemented internet shutdowns and social media restrictions, reportedly as part of efforts to contain the demonstrations. According to the internet provider Surfshark, internet services — particularly Meta-owned platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook — have been intermittently cut off, with frequent disruptions reported.
Mozambique’s Defense Minister Cristóvão Chume has threatened to deploy military forces to control upcoming national protests. Outgoing President Filipe Nyusi has dismissed claims that Rwandan soldiers were deployed in Maputo to assist in quelling the unrest. On Wednesday, South Africa temporarily closed one of its busiest border crossings with Mozambique amid escalating tensions.
A protester looks on near burning barricade during a ‘national shutdown’ against the election outcome Maputo Mozambique November 7, 2024.Photo: Courtesy
According to reports from Reuters and AFP, the rising unrest has led to temporary shutdowns of ports and transportation centers across Mozambique. As the country awaits the Constitutional Council’s final ruling, the Mozambique Bar Association has called on President Nyusi to “initiate genuine dialogue” with all parties, including Mondlane.
As Mozambique’s election turmoil continues, international and regional bodies, including the African Union (AU) and Southern African Development Community (SADC), face mounting pressure to respond.
Election observers from these organizations have expressed concern over the alleged irregularities, including voter suppression, vote-counting flaws, and reported abuses by security forces against peaceful demonstrators. Observers in the region worry that if such disputes remain unaddressed, they could undermine stability in Mozambique and even ripple into neighboring countries preparing for elections, such as Tanzania.
For Tanzania, which is set to hold critical civic elections on November 27, 2024, followed by national elections in 2025, the events in Mozambique serve as a cautionary tale. Tanzania’s recent primaries have already sparked tensions, with opposition parties alleging electoral bias, harassment, and irregularities by local authorities.
Political analyst Buberwa Kaiza, based in Dar es Salaam, points out that Mozambique’s unrest sends “a stark warning” to Tanzania’s electoral commission. “If genuine grievances aren’t addressed early, we risk similar unrest, as citizens may feel forced to seek justice outside the ballot box,” he noted.
Azavery Lwaitama, a former University of Dar es Salaam philosophy lecturer, stresses that African nations must prioritize electoral transparency to avoid the pitfalls seen in Mozambique. “The failure of regional organizations to intervene quickly and substantively in such situations weakens the credibility of democratic processes across the continent,” Lwaitama argues, adding that elections marred by irregularities only “fuel more divisive and potentially violent political climates.”
Boniface Jacob, former Ubungo Mayor, and a notable opposition figure, similarly emphasizes that Tanzania should heed the warning signs. “Mozambique’s experience demonstrates the dangers of manipulating democratic systems. Tanzanian leaders must allow for genuine competition and the freedom for opposition voices, or we could face similar discontent,” Jacob remarked, emphasizing the role of fair play in maintaining social peace.
As SADC and the AU monitor Mozambique, their response could set a precedent for Tanzania and others in the region. Mozambique’s electoral unrest shows the crucial importance of transparency and trust, with regional analysts suggesting that delays in regional intervention only increase the potential for prolonged civil disturbances. Many experts agree: that decisive, impartial action by the AU or SADC now could reinforce electoral integrity and bolster democratic processes across East and Southern Africa.
