The Southern African Development Community (SADC) called for an immediate halt to the ongoing violence in Mozambique, where 278 people have died since protests erupted over alleged electoral fraud in October.
The protests began after the electoral authority declared Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo party the winner of the presidential elections. This victory reignited anger over corruption, economic stagnation, and political dominance.
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the current chairperson of SADC, expressed deep concern over the loss of life, injuries, and destruction of property, which has led to economic disruptions and hindered cross-border trade.
In her statement, Hassan called for restraint from all parties, urging them to avoid actions that could escalate violence. She also emphasized SADC’s readiness to assist in finding a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
The unrest follows a disputed election result, where Chapo was initially declared the winner with 71% of the vote, defeating opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane. The Constitutional Council later reduced Chapo’s share to 65%, sparking further protests.
Hassan urged all parties to engage in peaceful dialogue, stressing the importance of restoring stability and governance in Mozambique for the region’s development.
The violence has forced thousands of Mozambicans to flee to neighboring countries like Malawi and Eswatini for safety.
Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane has proposed suspending protests for five days to allow international organizations to investigate human rights violations, with plans to announce the next phase of protests soon.