Mozambique Erupts in Violence After Election Ruling Leaves 21 Dead

Violence sparked by disputed election results in Mozambique has led to at least 21 fatalities, intensifying political tensions and unrest in the region.

MAPUTO, Mozambique — Mozambique has descended into chaos after the Constitutional Council confirmed the ruling Frelimo party's presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo, as the victor in elections held on October 9. The announcement has ignited widespread protests, resulting in the deaths of at least 21 individuals, including two police officers, officials reported on Tuesday.

Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda addressed the media in Maputo late Tuesday, detailing the surge of violence that erupted following the court's ruling. Tensions have been bubbling in the nation as supporters of the losing candidate, Venancio Mondlane, who garnered 24 percent of the votes compared to Chapo's 65 percent, took to the streets.

Ronda reported that within just 24 hours of the ruling, authorities recorded 236 incidents of violence nationwide. These incidents resulted in 21 casualties, including two police officers. In addition to the fatalities, 13 civilians and 12 police officers suffered injuries during the unrest.

The uprising has seen substantial property damage, with 25 vehicles — two of which belonged to the police — being set ablaze, and a penitentiary was vandalized, leading to the release of 86 inmates.

The situation escalated rapidly as the country braced for the court's ruling. Following the announcement, videos circulated on social media showing rioters looting stores and burning buildings in major cities like Maputo and Beira.

Mondlane has called for a nationwide “shutdown” beginning Friday, intensifying the already volatile atmosphere in a nation of approximately 34 million. The unrest has been severe since the election results were initially declared, with violent clashes between young supporters of Mondlane and security forces resulting in over 150 fatalities from post-election violence.