Africa-Press – Mozambique. At least 22 members of Mozambique’s Defence and Security Forces (FDS) died during the post-election demonstrations, and another 178 were injured, the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) said on Wednesday.
“During the violent demonstrations, excesses were recorded both on the part of the demonstrators and in the reaction of some FDS agents. For example, 22 DSF officers were killed during the demonstrations and 178 were injured,” said the Attorney General of the Republic, Américo Letela.
Answering questions from MPs after the 2024 annual report of the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP), the Attorney General called for an end to the killings of “state authorities”, especially during protests.
“In fact, there have been situations of excesses in the actions of some members of the FDS and it is therefore important to improve the capacity to intervene to deal [with demonstrations] with greater acuity”. (…) “We have brought the truth (…) and where things are not right, we have said it, we have taken it on ourselves,” added Américo Letela.
Mozambique has experienced the worst protest the country has seen since the first multi-party elections (1994). It was led by former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, who rejected the election results of 9 October, which gave victory to Daniel Chapo.
Almost 400 people lost their lives as a result of clashes between police and protesters, according to data from civil society organisations, which also resulted in looting and the destruction of businesses and public infrastructure.
Mozambique’s government previously confirmed at least 80 deaths, as well as the destruction of 1,677 businesses, 177 schools and 23 health centres during the demonstrations.
However, on 23 March, Mondlane and Daniel Chapo, who had already been sworn in as president, met for the first time, and a commitment was made to end the post-election violence in the country. Today, mutual criticism and accusations continue in the public statements of both politicians.
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