In Maputo, Mozambique’s capital, a mobile internet blackout occurred following protests against the ruling Frelimo party’s re-election, which turned violent. On Thursday, opposition supporters rejected the election results, accusing the electoral commission of bias towards Frelimo, which has been in power since 1975.
The commission declared Daniel Chapo from Frelimo as the winner with 71% of the vote, sparking more protests. Internet outages hit Maputo on Friday, hampering coverage of the events on the ground. The opposition leader, Venancio Mondlane, contested the results, claiming irregularities and calling for demonstrations.
Violence erupted in various cities, with one fatality in Nampula. The EU observers criticized the violent crackdown on protestors and called for transparency in the election process. The situation remains tense, with accusations of electoral fraud and voter manipulation.
Chapo, an unfamiliar candidate, will be Mozambique’s next president. The country faces a divisive political climate as the opposition challenges the legitimacy of the election results.