More than 2,000 Mozambican families have sought refuge in Malawi this week amid escalating unrest in Mozambique following the October elections, Malawian authorities reported. The violent protests, sparked by allegations of electoral fraud, have resulted in dozens of fatalities and growing instability.
Businesses, including banks, remained shuttered in Mozambique's capital, Maputo, on Friday as the city grappled with heightened tensions. The unrest was exacerbated by a deadly prison riot and breakout on Wednesday, prompting security patrols in several areas.
Mozambique has been embroiled in violent demonstrations for nearly two months since the electoral commission declared the ruling Frelimo party victorious in the contested elections. Frelimo has denied accusations of electoral fraud leveled by the opposition.
The unrest intensified after Mozambique's Constitutional Council validated the election results on Monday, triggering renewed demonstrations. According to the monitoring group Plataforma Decide, 125 people have been killed since the court's decision, bringing the total death toll to 252 since the protests began in late October.
Malawian authorities have reported a significant influx of refugees fleeing the violence. By Wednesday, 2,182 Mozambican households had crossed into Malawi's Nsanje district, which shares a border with Mozambique.
"The situation remains dire as these individuals urgently require humanitarian assistance," said Nsanje District Commissioner Dominic Mwandira in a letter to Malawi's commissioner for refugees, which was obtained by Reuters.
Venancio Mondlane, Mozambique’s main opposition leader and the runner-up in the presidential election according to the Constitutional Council, has called for continued protests against the results. However, he has urged his supporters to refrain from looting or damaging infrastructure during their demonstrations.
As the crisis deepens, the international community watches closely, concerned about the potential for further escalation and the urgent need for humanitarian intervention.
.png)
.png)
The opinions posted here do not belong to 🔰www.indiansdaily.com. The author is solely responsible for the opinions.
As per the IT policy of the Central Government, insults against an individual, community, religion or country, defamatory and inflammatory remarks, obscene and vulgar language are punishable offenses. Legal action will be taken for such expressions of opinion.