Mozambican police fired on opposition supporters during a march in the capital, Maputo, on Wednesday, injuring at least 10 people, according to Mondlane’s team and a human rights researcher.
A police spokesperson confirmed that authorities had dispersed the demonstrators but declined to provide further details. The march was held just hours before President Daniel Chapo signed an agreement with some political parties to end months of protests following his disputed election victory last year.
Venancio Mondlane, who finished second in the presidential race, has been left out of the discussions surrounding the agreement, which includes proposals for electoral reforms. Analysts believe his exclusion weakens the deal’s chances of bringing lasting stability to the country.
Mondlane’s team reported on Facebook that his location was unknown after the police crackdown, and that at least 16 people had been injured in the confrontation. A live video on his Facebook page showed him standing in a car while supporters sang and cheered before gunfire erupted, sending people fleeing and cutting the broadcast abruptly.
Human Rights Watch senior researcher Zenaida Machado confirmed that at least 10 people were wounded, warning that police violence against peaceful demonstrators undermines efforts to stabilize Mozambique.
Political analyst João Feijo criticized the government’s talks with other parties, arguing that excluding Mondlane renders them ineffective. “The longer it takes to include Venancio, the worse the chances of stabilizing the situation,” he said.
According to the civil society group Plataforma Decide, more than 350 people have died in post-election protests since October.
Despite the crackdown, Mondlane remains defiant, telling supporters on Wednesday that he would continue his anti-government demonstrations “for years if necessary.” He maintains that Chapo and his ruling Frelimo party rigged the October election, an accusation echoed by Western observers, who declared the vote neither free nor fair.
Frelimo, which has governed Mozambique since independence from Portugal in 1975, denies any allegations of electoral fraud.