Johannesburg โ Mozambican authorities have failed to conduct credible investigations into the wave of political killings following the October general elections, Human Rights Watch said today. Unidentified gunmen, some wearing security force uniforms, shot dead at least 10 key opposition party officials from October through March Most of the people targeted had been involved in organizing national street protests contesting the election results. The police have announced investigations into some of the cases but have not identified or arrested any suspects or provided public updates on the status of investigations.
Human Rights Watch documented the killings of 10 opposition figures across the country through remote interviews with 21 people, including witnesses, relatives of the victims, journalists, and the police. In one case, gunmen in a car ambushed Elvino Dias, the lawyer for Mondlane and the Podemos party, and Paulo Guambe, a Podemos election official, in Maputo and shot them dead.
The other cases, most of them Podemos party officials and supporters, were similar. The elections were marred by political killings , widespread irregularities , and tight restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly. The opposition Podemos party contested the election results in nationwide demonstrations.
Security forces cracked down on the protests, killing over people and injuring hundreds more. Podemos submitted a report to the Office of the Attorney General alleging that more than party members were killed and alleged that the police planned and carried out the killings.
No updates were provided to family members or the public. The Southern African Development Community, the African Union, concerned governments, and major developmental partners of Mozambique should call on the government to ensure that there is a thorough investigation into the post-election violence, including apparent politically motivated killings, and fairly prosecute all those responsible, Human Rights Watch said.
