Protests erupt in Maputo over election violence

Tensions escalated in Mozambique's capital, Maputo, following the disputed October 9 national election. Police fired teargas and bullets to disperse protesters who had gathered at the site where two opposition party figures were shot dead. The incident occurred amid growing unrest over alleged electoral fraud.

That some police officers fired handguns while dispersing the crowd. Adriano Nuvunga, director of Mozambique's Centre for Democracy and Human Rights, stated that two journalists and a security guard were hit by bullets, though not seriously wounded.

The protest was sparked by the killing of two associates of opposition leader Venancio Mondlane - lawyer Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe, a candidate from the small Podemos party. They were shot dead in their car by unidentified assailants.

Mondlane, who ran for president in the recent election, had called for a general strike to contest early results showing the ruling Frelimo party ahead. Shops in Maputo were closed, and helicopters were seen hovering above the city.

The ruling Frelimo party, which has governed Mozambique since independence in 1975, is expected to win again according to early results. However, opposition candidates have accused the party of rigging the poll, allegations that Frelimo denies.

International bodies, including the European Union, African Union, and United Nations, have condemned the violence and called for calm. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all Mozambicans to "remain calm, exercise restraint and reject all forms of violence."

The electoral commission has yet to release the full results of the election and has declined to comment on accusations of fraud. This latest unrest follows a pattern of post-election violence in Mozambique, with several people killed in clashes after Frelimo's victory in last year's municipal elections.

The situation remains tense as the country awaits the final election results, expected later this week.