A new wave of protests is underway following the confirmation of the disputed October elections on Monday.
At least 21 people have been killed in unrest since Mozambique’s top court confirmed the victory of the ruling Frelimo party controversial electionssays the Interior Minister.
At least two police officers were among the dead, Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda said at a press conference on Tuesday.
In total, “236 serious acts of violence have been reported” across the Portuguese-speaking African country since Monday, with at least 25 people injured, including 13 police officers, he said.
The protests started after Frelimo confirmed the winner from the Constitutional Council. Protesters and opposition groups claim the October 9 vote was rigged.
So far, 78 people have been arrested and security measures have been tightened across the country, Ronda told public broadcaster TVM. “The armed forces will strengthen their presence at critical and decisive points,” he said.
Frelimo was repeatedly accused of election fraud by opponents and election observers. It has denied the allegations.
After the Supreme Court announced that Daniel Chapo of the ruling party had won the presidential election, supporters of opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane began protesting on Monday evening.
The demonstrators were accused of attacking and destroying police stations, gas stations, banks and other public facilities.
Reporting from Maputo, Al Jazeera’s Haru Mutasa said protesters burned tires and blocked roads.
“This was their way of shutting down Mozambique,” she said. “People say they are fed up with years of corruption and unemployment.”
Mutasa said some young men had asked drivers for money to drive through some places. “While these protests may have started over the election results, it appears that some elements have moved in to try to infiltrate them,” she said.
Mozambique has seen violent protests since late October, when electoral authorities declared 47-year-old Chapo the winner of the presidential election.
More than 130 people have been killed since October 21, according to human rights and civil society groups. They also accuse the Mozambican security forces of using excessive force to suppress the protests.
Following the Constitutional Council’s announcement on Monday, Mondlane urged his followers on social media to prepare for “difficult days ahead.”
“History is made up of delicate, rocky moments, but the truth is that victory is guaranteed for all of us,” Mondlane wrote on Facebook.
