Mozambique faces internal instability due to disputed election results that prompted civil protests, with at least 11 deaths reported since October 25, The Guardian reported.
The ruling Frelimo party’s candidate, who led the country since its independence in 1975, reportedly received over 70% of the vote. However, civil society groups and opposition parties have publicly criticized the results, alleging vote-rigging.
Civil society groups in Mozambique had accused Frelimo of registering nearly 900,000 fake voters out of an electorate of 17 million.
The nation, with an average age under 18, appeared to be united in protesting the results.
Law enforcement intervened to disperse the protesters, “accidentally” killing dozens due to “stray bullets,” Mozambique police said.
The backlash and protests were partly fueled by Venâncio Mondlane, a banker and independent candidate who claims he was the rightful winner of the election.
Mondlane has been urging his supporters through social media videos to protest the election results.
After accusing the police of attempting to silence him, Mondlane vanished from public view for over 12 days following the assassination of two of his aides by unidentified gunmen, the BBC reported.
As unrest grows, Mozambique—one of the world’s poorest nations—faces further challenges amid internet and social media blackouts.
Internet Observatory NetBlocks reported on Thursday that social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, have been restricted, prompting some citizens to stay home due to safety concerns and confusion.
Mondlane continues to urge citizens to protest and “occupy” key sites, including the presidential palace and other strategic locations in the capital.