**Mass escape from Machava prison echoes Mozambique’s post-election violence**
The shock of the spectacular escape of more than 1,500 inmates from Mozambique’s Machava prison on December 25 echoes a symphony of the violence that is shaking the country in this turbulent post-election period. This unprecedented event comes amid heightened tensions, marked by the violence that erupted following the confirmation of Daniel Chapo’s electoral victory by the Constitutional Council.
Police Chief Bernardino Rafael confirmed that 1,534 prisoners escaped, and only 150 have been recaptured to date. The escape degenerated into violent clashes between the fugitives, prison staff and law enforcement, resulting in the deaths of 33 people and the injury of 15. The graphic images of the crowd escaping the prison, some armed with ammunition stolen from guards, are a testament to the chaos that reigned during the incident.
Machava prison houses high-risk inmates, including jihadists linked to armed groups in Cabo Delgado. At least 30 jihadists are among the escapees, including one classified as “extremely dangerous,” raising security concerns.
Election-related unrest has already claimed the lives of 248 people in the past two months, according to the NGO Plataforma Decide. The rise in violence only adds to the climate of mistrust and political instability that prevails in the country.
The ongoing crisis is also highlighting regional tensions. While South Africa’s ruling ANC party congratulated Daniel Chapo on his election victory, the United States has expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in Mozambique’s elections. Observers have criticized South Africa’s relatively measured response to the worsening situation in Mozambique.
The mass escape from Machava prison is a sad chapter in Mozambique’s chaotic history. It highlights the flaws in the prison system and the fragility of the rule of law, and raises critical questions about the country’s national security and political stability. As Mozambique tries to heal its wounds and recover from this ordeal, it is to be hoped that the authorities will learn the lessons of this tragedy to better prevent future crises.