Mozambique: Hubris among the elites, chaos on the streets
Civil disobedience and urban warfare are immobilising Maputo as the nation’s election dispute continues.
Luis Nhachote and Kiri Rupiah
Maria Matisse, the Maputo protester seen in a viral social media video lying prostrate on a road after being hit by a military vehicle, miraculously survived the horrific scene. Many have not been as lucky: scores of people have been killed in the protests disputing Mozambique’s 9 October presidential election.
Plataforma Eleitoral Decide, a nonprofit based in Mozambique, reported 67 deaths between 21 October and 21 November, while the US-based Armed Conflict Location and Event Database logged 85 casualties. Human Rights Watch said on Monday that 10 of those killed were children.
Matisse was sitting on a chair on Eduardo Mondlane Avenue, Maputo’s main road, when a speeding armoured vehicle hit her. She is one of many who responded to Venâncio Mondlane’s call to bring vehicle traffic to a standstill on Wednesday through Friday. This is the latest wave of protest called by the candidate declared second in the disputed 9 October election. People are “cooking in the middle of the streets, doing regular activities they would do at home to show that the roads are blocked,” Professor Adriano Nuvunga, chairperson of the Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network, told The Continent.
The street blockades saw the incumbent, President Filipe Nyusi, use a helicopter for the 2km commute between his office and the presidential palace.
Not even Graça Machel, the former education minister and widow of Mozambique’s first president, was spared. In a widely circulated video, Machel was heckled by young protesters who had gathered to watch her struggle to make her way through blockaded streets.
Often regarded as the “mother of the nation”, Machel is highly respected, but that respect has been dented by her reluctance to condemn the disputed election result.
Earlier this week, Machel appealed for calm and dialogue, stressing the importance of respecting the law and the rules of the democratic process, even when one disagrees with the authorities.
Many were unimpressed by her call.
“There is a sense that the elders are doing nothing to end the chaos,” Nuvunga said. “What people want is electoral justice. [When they speak] there’s still this element of protecting Frelimo rule.”
Urban warfare unleashed
In response to the civil disobedience, security forces “have used excessive force,” said Nuvunga. The vehicle that hit Matisse was part of a military column sent to unblock roads, a defence ministry press statement said, adding that the vehicles were “properly signalling.”
Security forces have also used tear gas and live bullets, killing three protesters in Nampala in northern Mozambique on Wednesday. Social media videos show security forces working alongside plain clothed shooters to search for and shoot at suspected protesters.
President-elect Daniel Chapo, the Frelimo party candidate who was announced as the winner of the election, has yet to address his country on the dispute and violence in the streets.
The current president, Nyusi, called a meeting with the four presidential candidates to address the political impasse but Mondlane said he could not attend because Nyusi did not respond to his proposed terms, including an offer to attend virtually. Mondlane has not revealed his location since 21 October, but is understood to have left Mozambique, saying he faced death threats. As the protests raged, the government has opened legal proceedings against him.
The other candidates – Chapo, Lutero Simango and Ossufo Momade – showed up for Nyusi’s meeting but postponed substantive talks, understanding that Mondlane’s presence is crucial.
“The political crisis is worsening every day that passes,” said political analyst Felisberto Pondja. “Dialogue must be the solution.”
Any news of how it is going at the Polana Serena Hotel in Maputo during these difficult and sometimes explosive times? Thank you for all the reportages 🤓📚🔖💯