On 5 November 2024, tires were seen burning in Maputo’s Xiquelene neighborhood during a protest against human rights violations and democracy in Mozambique following the 2024 presidential elections. Image: Alfredo Zuniga/AFP
(The Post News)- Daniel Chapo of the ruling party, Frelimo, was declared the winner in the Mozambique elections held on the 9th of October 2024. The election outcome led to a wave of violent protests that lasted for a month and still continues today. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) called an urgent summit from November 16 to 20 in Harare to address the widespread protests in Mozambique that have already claimed twenty lives and left hundreds injured, according to East African reports.
The protests started shortly after the opposition party rejected the election results, alleging electoral manipulation. Protests intensified, particularly in urban areas, with reports of police violence and arbitrary arrests. Mozambique’s security forces have been deployed heavily across affected regions but are struggling to contain the unrest.
In a press briefing held on Tuesday in Pretoria, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations, Ronald Lamola, emphasized the meeting’s significance, expressing optimism that it will assist in easing tensions. He also shared that South Africa expresses concern over post-electoral violence in Mozambique, expressing regret for the loss of lives and property destruction. The country calls for law enforcement agencies to investigate and bring perpetrators to justice. The SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections remain the viable norms for regular, free, fair, and credible elections in SADC member states.
In Harare, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Information, Jenfan Muswere, informed Zimbabwe Situation journalists that the summit will center on the crisis in Mozambique, but leaders will also discuss recent elections in Botswana and upcoming polls in Namibia. The summit will be a critical platform for addressing regional stability and affirming that SADC’s role is to support peace and political order within the region.
The upcoming SADC summit is expected to set a plan in motion to support peace in Mozambique, though experts caution that solutions may require a mix of political and humanitarian measures to stabilize the country.
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