Africa-Press – Mozambique. At least two people were seriously injured on Sunday when the Mozambican police’s Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) intervened to disperse a march by the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), the fourth-largest parliamentary party, in Gorongosa, Sofala province, in the centre of the country, authorities confirmed yesterday.
“They were repeatedly warned. […] There was a sequence of qualified disobedience, which is why the police were forced to intervene, therefore, notifying the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR). We deployed to the scene. Having exhausted all possibility of dialogue, we resorted to the use of tear gas as a dispersion instrument and there were some people injured and two seriously injured who were taken to the local hospital,” spokesperson Dércio Chacate said.
According to the spokesperson, the police received a complaint from the public about the MDM holding marches on public roads without communicating this to the local and administrative authorities, and so the police went to the scene to prevent the action.
According to the MDM, Sunday’s march was held as part of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the town of Gorongosa, but according to the police, the intention of the members of that political force was to “create public disorder and make the normal course of the festivities impossible”.
“It was obviously our responsibility to restore public order and prevent individuals from deliberately causing disorder in that district,” the police spokesperson said.
The MDM, however, accused the police of causing serious injuries to at least five people and causing another 50 minor injuries, in an action that it considered a “serious violation” of the constitution and the political agreement signed on March 5 between the Mozambican president, Daniel Chapo, and various political forces – including the MDM – to end Mozambique’s worst post-election crisis.
“We demand that the justice authorities hold the authorities accountable for the acts committed,” provincial political delegate of the Democratic Movement of Mozambique in Sofala José Custódio told the media, adding that the party had informed the authorities “well in advance” about the march.
“During the march, which was duly organized, the district political delegate received a phone call from the district commander to prohibit the MDM from participating in the ceremonies. Minutes later, he appeared in person with a police escort made up of several forces from different specialties, heavily armed and masked, and under his direction, they immediately blocked the march and simultaneously fired shots in the direction of the MDM members and participants,” Custódio said.
For More News And Analysis About Mozambique Follow Africa-Press
