POST ELECTION VIOLENCE ROCKS MOZAMBIQUE

Opposition supporters took to the streets of the Mozambican capital, Maputo, to protest against the government's alleged electoral fraud shortly after the country's National Electoral Commission (CNE) announced that Daniel Chapo of the ruling democratic-socialist Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) won the 9 October election.

According to the CNE, Chapo garnered 71 per cent of the votes, way ahead of his closest opponent, Venâncio Mondlane, who ran on the ticket of the Optimist Party for the Development of Mozambique (PODEMOS).

Since the day of voting, Mondlane has accused FRELIMO of tampering with the results. This has led to nearly daily protests in the capital and other major urban cities where the opposition leader enjoys significant support.

Mondlane accused security forces of orchestrating the 19 October double murder of his lawyer, Elvino Dias, and PODEMOS official Paulo Guambe, a charge that the government has denied. However, Mondlane's accusation has added fuel to the volatile situation.

More protests are expected in the coming days despite warnings from Filipe Nyusi, the outgoing president who served a maximum of two terms who is also a FRELIMO leader, of stern action against protesters who engage in acts of violence.