Pan-African Parliament urges restraint amid Mozambique post-election violence

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the legislative body of the African Union (AU), called on Mozambicans to exercise restraint following the outbreak of violence sparked by the October 9 presidential elections.

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who heads PAP’s Southern Africa Group, condemned the post-election violence and urged all parties to prioritize dialogue over confrontation.

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Why it matters

Instability in Mozambique threatens not only the safety of its citizens but also broader regional economic and social progress. The unrest has already caused population displacements, undermining regional integration efforts in Southern Africa.

Pedestrians walk past a burning barricade in Maputo on December 24, 2024. - The capital of Mozambique was deserted on Tuesday, its main arteries heavily secured, noted AFP, the day after the confirmation of the victory in the October elections of Frelimo, in power for half a century, while the opposition maintains his denunciations of fraud. Maputo remains frozen in a climate of fear and insecurity on Christmas Eve after violent demonstrations in the evening and night. The police, in armored vehicles, patrol the center. (Photo by Amilton Neves / AFP)Mozambican security forces are seen next to a burning barricade in Maputo on December 24, 2024. - The capital of Mozambique was deserted on Tuesday, its main arteries heavily secured, noted AFP, the day after the confirmation of the victory in the October elections of Frelimo, in power for half a century, while the opposition maintains his denunciations of fraud. Maputo remains frozen in a climate of fear and insecurity on Christmas Eve after violent demonstrations in the evening and night. The police, in armored vehicles, patrol the center. (Photo by Amilton Neves / AFP)

Details

• Election results: The ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) candidate, Daniel Chapo, was declared the winner with 71% of the vote, followed by Venancio Mondlane of Podemos at 20%.
• Alleged fraud: Opposition parties claimed the polls and vote-counting process were rigged, calling for nationwide protests.
• Fatalities and unrest: At least 248 people have been killed in election-related violence. On December 25, more than 1,500 inmates escaped from a high-security prison in Maputo, overpowering guards.
• Flight disruptions: Turkish Airlines canceled its December 26 flights to Maputo, citing political turmoil.

Between the lines

Zuma-Sambudla underscored that political instability is directly linked to economic disruption, forcing communities to abandon their homes and livelihood.

PAP aligned itself with Mozambican citizens, encouraging political parties and civil society to resolve disputes through “constructive dialogue.”

What’s next

Zuma-Sambudla called on the African Union to step in and mediate, emphasizing that preserving peace and stability in Mozambique is crucial for the region’s overall prosperity.

December 28, 2024 10:39 PM GMT+03:00