**Fatshimetrie: Tensions at opposition rally in Mozambique**
Police violently repressed an opposition rally in Mozambique in the city center on Monday morning in Maputo. As opposition leader and presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane spoke to the press, security forces targeted his campaign headquarters with tear gas, forcing the opposition leader to flee.
Mondlane had called for a general strike, denouncing alleged fraud in the general elections that the ruling party claims victory. “The police cannot stop actions that are based on the choices of individuals and the collective will of the people, which can lead to a shutdown of activities. We urge everyone – civil servants, public officials, police, military and people from the private sector – to participate in a general strike. A second phase more radical than the first will be announced soon,” he said.
The protest, banned by security forces, came two days after the assassination of two close associates of the opposition leader.
Tensions are rising ahead of the announcement of the final results of the general elections scheduled for October 24.
Opponents are already contesting the preliminary results that declared Daniel Chapo, the candidate of the ruling Frelimo party, the winner.
On the streets Monday morning, protesters chanted slogans such as “Save Mozambique” and “This country is ours.”
The protest follows the assassination of two close associates of Venancio Mondlane: Elvino Dias, Mondlane’s lawyer, and Paulo Guamba, a member of the Podemos party.
Following the death of Dias, who was preparing a legal appeal against alleged electoral fraud, Mondlane is convinced that the Mozambican defense and security forces are responsible for the double murder.
He said: “We have evidence. The blood of two young men is now on the ground! We will all take to the streets. We will demonstrate with our placards.”
The killing has raised concerns among observers about a possible resurgence of violence in the country.
Earlier on Monday, the European Union expressed concern about the “violent dispersal” of the protest.
The day before, writer Mia Couto stressed that a resolution to the crisis would not be achieved “through riots or police repression”.
Mozambique has seen several assassinations during election periods, including that of an observer in 2019 and a journalist in 2023, but this is the first time that representatives of political parties have been targeted.