MAPUTO, Mozambique — At least three people were killed and 66 injured in clashes between protesters and police in the Mozambican capital Maputo on Thursday, according to the emergency service chief at Central Hospital of Maputo.
Dino Lopes told Portugal’s Lusa news agency that 57 of those admitted to hospitals had gunshot wounds. Four were injured in a fall, three were physically assaulted, and two were wounded by bladed weapons. Four patients were in grave condition, he added.
However, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Friday that at least 30 people have been killed in Mozambique in almost three weeks of crackdowns on protests over a disputed presidential election.
Mozambican police used tear gas to disperse opposition protesters in the capital, Lusa reported.
The unrest followed Mozambique’s presidential election on October 9, which saw the candidate of the ruling Frelimo party, Daniel Chapo, win with over 70% of the vote. Independent candidate Venancio Mondlane came in second with some 20%.
Mondlane, backed by the Podemos party, called the results “false.”
“The election was a sham. We will not accept the results,” Mondlane said.
He has used social media to rally supporters to demonstrate against the results, leading to clashes with police and soldiers.
On Thursday, in the biggest demonstration yet, several thousand people marched in Maputo, some throwing rocks and setting up barricades before being dispersed by security officers.
President Filipe Nyusi is expected to step down early next year at the end of his two-term limit, handing over to Chapo.
