Title: Mozambik Rocked by Post-Election Violence; 21 Dead in 24 Hours
In the wake of heavily contested elections, opposition-22b2219f323d1ba72ef330b3a153f916″ title=”Mozambique court upholds the governing party's presidential election …”>Mozambique has been grappling with deadly violence that has left at least 21 people, including two police officers, dead in the past 24 hours. The turmoil has unfolded in several locations across the Southeast African country,esis reports.
The country’s Constitutional Council confirmed on Monday (December 23) that the ruling party, Frelimo, which has been in power since 1975, had won the presidential election held on October 9. However, the opposition has vehemently disputed these results, triggering weeks of unrest.
In an address to the press on Tuesday (December 24), Internal Affairs Minister Pascoal Ronda disclosed that "236 serious acts of violence" had been reported across Mozambique. This wave of unrest has resulted in at least 25 injuries, including 13 police officers. Moreover, over 70 individuals have been apprehended in connection with these incidents. According to Ronda, armed groups equipped with sharp weapons and firearms have targeted police stations, polling centers, and other public infrastructure.
In the capital, Maputo, clashes between protesters and police have been reported, with heavy police patrols using armored vehicles to contain unrest in the city center, where hundreds of civilians have taken to the streets. In the aftermath of the Council’s announcement, barricades were set alight on major roadways, engulfing the city in thick smoke. This came just hours after President-elect Daniel Chapo of Frelimo was confirmed as the winner of the election, with his main rival, Renamo’s candidate Venancio Mondlane, alleging widespread election fraud.
In the chaos, scores of shops, banks, supermarkets, gas stations, and public buildings have been looted, with some set ablaze and reduced to smoldering ruins.
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