3 People Killed In Mass Clashes Protesting Elections In Mozambique

UNSPLASH/Baudouin Wismelmann ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Three people were killed and 66 injured in clashes between police and protesters over protests over the election results in Mozambique.

The death toll added to the number of 18 people killed in previous protests since the October 9 elections, which the opposition said had been rigged.

Some groups say the number of victims is higher, with the Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Mozambique reporting a total of 34 deaths.

The protests on Thursday, November 7, were the biggest protests that had taken place in Mozambique against Frelimo, the party that ruled the southern African state since 1975 and was declared the winner of last month's election with a landslide victory.

Civil society groups and international observers say the vote does not meet democratic standards. The country's Constitutional Council has asked for clarification from the election commission on differences in vote count.

Of the 66 injured victims, 57 were likely caused by firearms, four as a result of falling, three were injured by physical aggression, and two were injured by sharp weapons," said Dino Lopes, director of adult emergency services at the Maputo Central Hospital.

Most of the victims were between 25 and 35 years old, and others were 15 years old.

Thousands of people took to the streets in the capital Maputo on Thursday shouting "Frelimo must fall", barricaded the road with burning tires and threw stones.

Reuters journalists saw police officers firing weapons at the crowd.

Mozambique police have been accused by human rights groups of using live ammunition against political protesters in the past.

The Minister of Home Affairs defended the police's recent response to demonstrations, saying it was necessary to restore public order.