About a dozen academics have made a joint call to the parties involved in the country’s post-election violence to convene a national conference that “unites all the political sensitivities of our social fabric”.
Mozambicans have been protesting from their homes – banging pots and pans, and shouting “This country is ours! Rescue Mozambique! – after reports of at least five people killed by the police during demonstrations. two of them in Magoanine and the third in Hulene. All were reportedly children, and two were returning from school.
Opposition leader and presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane has said in a social media video that he escaped an attempted assassination in South Africa – where he sought refuge after the polls. Mondlane rejected the results of the elections, which the electoral body said were won by the ruling Frelimo party, and called for protests.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International has called for a halt to the “escalating assault on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” in the country following the disputed presidential elections. In a statement, the rights group accused the police of repeatedly attacking protesters during nationwide demonstrations called by the opposition.
The Medical Association of Mozambique and the Order of Doctors of Mozambique have said that, between 18 and 26 October, 10 citizens were shot dead, and 73 others were injured throughout the country as Mozambicans continue to contest the election results.
Source: all Africa.com
