Police shot at supporters of Mozambican opposition leader Venancio Mondlane during a march Wednesday in Maputo. The violence hurt at least ten people, based on reports from Mondlane's team and human rights researchers. When asked about what happened, police only said they broke up the gathering but gave no more details about the clash.
The marchers had gathered before President Daniel Chapo signed a deal with some political groups to end months of protests against his disputed election win last year. Mondlane came in second place but was kept out of all talks leading to this agreement, which aims to review voting laws. Experts say leaving Mondlane out means the deal probably cannot bring peace back to this resource-rich country.
A Facebook post from Mondlane's team said nobody knew where he went after police broke up the march and claimed sixteen people were hurt. When Reuters called Mondlane, he did not answer. Another Facebook video showed Mondlane standing in a moving car on a street full of cheering fans. Gunshots suddenly rang out, people ran away, and the video cut off.
Zenaida Machado from Human Rights Watch confirmed at least ten people were hurt by police Wednesday. She said shooting at peaceful protesters hurts chances for peace in Mozambique. Political expert Joao Feijo called the government's talks with other parties just an act without Mondlane there. "The longer it takes to include Venancio, the worse the chances of stabilizing the situation," Feijo said.
Local monitoring group Plataforma Decide counts more than 350 people killed during protests since late October after the election. Mondlane told his followers Wednesday he would keep protesting for years if needed. He claims Chapo and his Frelimo party cheated in the October election, backed by Western observers who said the vote was unfair. Frelimo has ruled Mozambique since 1975, when Portuguese colonial rule ended, and denies all claims of cheating.
The marchers had gathered before President Daniel Chapo signed a deal with some political groups to end months of protests against his disputed election win last year. Mondlane came in second place but was kept out of all talks leading to this agreement, which aims to review voting laws. Experts say leaving Mondlane out means the deal probably cannot bring peace back to this resource-rich country.
A Facebook post from Mondlane's team said nobody knew where he went after police broke up the march and claimed sixteen people were hurt. When Reuters called Mondlane, he did not answer. Another Facebook video showed Mondlane standing in a moving car on a street full of cheering fans. Gunshots suddenly rang out, people ran away, and the video cut off.
Zenaida Machado from Human Rights Watch confirmed at least ten people were hurt by police Wednesday. She said shooting at peaceful protesters hurts chances for peace in Mozambique. Political expert Joao Feijo called the government's talks with other parties just an act without Mondlane there. "The longer it takes to include Venancio, the worse the chances of stabilizing the situation," Feijo said.
Local monitoring group Plataforma Decide counts more than 350 people killed during protests since late October after the election. Mondlane told his followers Wednesday he would keep protesting for years if needed. He claims Chapo and his Frelimo party cheated in the October election, backed by Western observers who said the vote was unfair. Frelimo has ruled Mozambique since 1975, when Portuguese colonial rule ended, and denies all claims of cheating.
