More than 20 dead in Mozambique in protests over the ruling in favor of the ruling party’s electoral victory

MADRID Dec. 25 (EUROPA PRESS) –

At least 21 people have died as a result of the increase in violence in Mozambique during the new protests that have occurred in recent hours, after the Constitutional Court confirmed this Monday the victory of Daniel Chapo, the ruling party’s candidate, in the presidential elections. of October.

The Minister of the Interior, Pascoal Ronda, reported this Tuesday night of the death of at least 21 people, including two police officers, during the looting and attacks on police stations that have occurred throughout the country, as well as by the Clashes between protesters and officers.

“No one can call or consider these criminal acts peaceful demonstrations,” said Ronda, who has reported another twenty injuries, including police and civilians, as well as hundreds of violent incidents throughout the country, which is why has decided to reinforce security on the streets.

Ronda has indicated that among the objectives of these organized groups there are not only police posts and police stations, but also penitentiary centers and critical infrastructure facilities.

Thus, he has not ruled out that these “selective attacks” are directed by “terrorist groups” related to the jihadists operating in Cabo Delgado. “Faced with this situation, the security forces are going to intervene since we cannot witness the growth of this urban terrorism movement forever,” he said.

More than 120 people have died since the unrest began two months ago, most from gunshot wounds. Meanwhile, the country’s main cities continue to wake up to destruction, looting, blocked roads and vandalized government facilities.

Chapo, candidate of the historic Mozambique Liberation Front party (Frelimo), in power for half a century, won the last presidential elections with 65 percent of the votes, as confirmed this Monday by the Constitutional Court.

However, Venancio Mondlane, who has emerged as the main opposition figure, insists that there was electoral fraud and has announced that he will continue urging his followers to continue with the protests. Meanwhile, he remains out of the country, his whereabouts unknown since the end of October.