Political Unrest in Mozambique: Mondlane Avoids Summons Amid Police Assault
The Attorney General’s Office has summoned former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane regarding post-election riots. Mondlane has refused to attend, citing safety concerns after a police assault on his motorcade. The incident has sparked significant unrest in Maputo and Matola, coinciding with a political reconciliation ceremony led by President Daniel Chapo.
The Mozambican Attorney General’s Office (PGR) has issued a summons to Venâncio Mondlane, a former presidential candidate, requiring his presence to answer to a criminal case linked to post-election riots. However, Mondlane has indicated that he will not comply with the summons, as he has gone into hiding following a police attack on his motorcade, which his supporters perceive as an assassination attempt.
Dinis Tivane, Mondlane’s legal advisor, confirmed that they received the PGR notification but stated that Mondlane would not attend. There are unverified reports suggesting that Mondlane may have crossed into South Africa, while his advisors maintain that he was uninjured during the police incident. In contrast, Maputo police spokesperson Leonel Muchina asserted that the police did not attempt to kill Mondlane, claiming their actions were solely aimed at dispersing his supporters, despite footage showing riot police deploying tear gas and firing upon the motorcade.
The police also rejected reports from Mondlane’s supporters asserting that children died during the incident, although independent observers confirmed that at least 16 individuals sustained injuries. As the news of the alleged assassination attempt circulated, it incited riots across Maputo and Matola, particularly in the Patrice Lumumba area, where barricades were constructed, blocking traffic and leading to shop closures.
Travel was severely hampered, with no trains operating on that Thursday morning. Commuters from Matola who typically rely on public transport were forced to walk to their workplaces or abandon their jobs altogether. This unrest unfolded simultaneously with President Daniel Chapo’s ceremony, where he and nine political parties were signing a commitment to inclusive national dialogue, raising questions about the timing of the police’s actions and their implications for Chapo’s authority.
In summary, the situation surrounding Venâncio Mondlane escalated with his refusal to respond to the PGR’s summons amidst a police attack perceived by his supporters as an assassination attempt. The ensuing riots highlighted public unrest and unrest in the wake of this incident, coinciding with an attempt at political dialogue led by President Chapo. The events raise significant questions about political tensions and police conduct in Mozambique.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
