Mozambique is grappling with escalating chaos after contentious election results ignited mass protests and civil unrest across the country.
Mozambique riots: Latest updates on Thursday, 26 December 2024
The protests, initially sparked by allegations of electoral fraud, have spiralled into widespread violence, including a mass prison break in Maputo, reports of retaliatory abductions involving police officers, and growing fears of regional instability.
Mass prison break in Maputo: What are the latest updates?
On Wednesday, thousands of prisoners escaped from a high-security facility in Maputo, Mozambique’s capital, in a shocking display of the unrest gripping the nation.
According to reports, rioters stormed the jail as part of an organised act of defiance against the government. Security footage reportedly shows inmates overpowering guards and fleeing en masse as chaos consumed the city.
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The Mozambique police service confirmed the incident, noting that approximately 400 inmates are still at large.
Authorities have launched a nationwide manhunt, but with ongoing protests and logistical challenges, the effort to recapture the escapees has been severely hindered.
The mass escape has exacerbated concerns about public safety, with many of the fugitives described as dangerous.
This incident follows weeks of escalating tension tied to allegations of vote tampering during the country’s general election in October.
Protesters, citing irregularities in the vote count, have accused the government of manipulating results to maintain its grip on power, leading to mounting distrust in state institutions.
Reports of police kidnappings break out on social media
As the unrest deepens, unverified reports on social media suggest protesters have abducted police officers in retaliation for mass arrests of demonstrators.
One widely shared account claims protesters captured officers, including a local station commander, and demanded an exchange of detainees for their release.
While these claims remain unconfirmed by credible sources, the alleged abductions have drawn attention to the escalating hostility between citizens and law enforcement.
Analysts warn that if true, these actions signal a dangerous shift in the protests, with public anger boiling over into direct confrontations with state authority.
The Mozambique government has yet to comment on the allegations.
What has South Africa’s response been?
South Africa has expressed deep concern over the unrest in its neighbouring country.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), in a statement released on Christmas Eve, called for calm and urgent dialogue among all parties in Mozambique.
“South Africa calls on all parties to commit to an urgent dialogue that will heal the country and set it on a new political and developmental trajectory,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) has bolstered security at its crossings with Mozambique, including keeping the Lebombo border post closed for entry.
However, concerns persist about a potential influx of refugees fleeing the violence.
The prospect of mass illegal immigration has prompted the BMA to tighten patrols and conduct regular sweeps to curb unauthorised crossings.
Adding to the crisis, reports suggest that fuel stations in riot-affected areas of Mozambique are running dry as port closures have disrupted supply chains, a worrying development that could further destabilise the region.
The roots of the current unrest trace back to Mozambique’s contentious general election held in October 2024.
Allegations of electoral fraud and irregularities in the vote tally sparked outrage among opposition parties and citizens. Claims that key regions had their results manipulated to favour the ruling Frelimo party led to mass demonstrations.
While the government has denied any wrongdoing, widespread dissatisfaction has morphed into violent protests, targeting state institutions and infrastructure.
