Mozambique’s Pots and Pans revolution re-started today, for a three-day protest called by opposition presidential contender Venâncio Mondlane. The post-elections violence continues in Mozambique even as SADC heads of state meet in Harare, Zimbabwe to find ways of restoring peace on the Kingdom’s Indian Ocean neighbour.
Mondlane who claims to have won the 9 October election that elections officials on October 25 declared were overwhelmingly won by the ruling party candidate, Daniel Campo called for another three days of protests. The demonstrations are now popularly called the ‘pots and pans revolution’ because demonstrators march by day and continue the protest at night by making protest noise by knocking pots and pans.
Mondlane who is now out of the country in fear of arrest, is calling his supporters on social media to now focus on economic targets, including the ports and border. Sources say the protest continues a vicious cycle of violence between police and protesters, that has seen the death toll steadily rise with an estimated 34 people killed. As a result, the current round of protests has been named three days’ mourning for the victims of the violence.
The dead include seven young people who were run over by an unknown driver of a 4×4 vehicle in Maputo. It has also claimed government officials including the level killing, by an angry mob of the head of the district elections commission in Inhassunge, near Quelimane in Zambezia.
Last week the government banned the protests and branded demonstrators as akin to terrorists. President Nyusi who addressed the nation yesterday proposed dialogue between the presidential candidates. He is likely to be ignored because he will be out of office in January when his successor, George Campo is sworn in.
Economic targets
After at least 34 people were killed in electoral violence since the contested October 24 election, opposition candidate Venâncio Mondlane announced the “derradeira” (ultimate) and “most painful” fourth phase of demonstrations. He emphasized the gravity of this phase, stating that it will have a profound impact on the national economy. Protests are set for Wednesday to Friday at borders, harbors, and provincial capitals, he stated during his Facebook live stream.
The protests have already disrupted businesses, schools, and markets, caused food shortages—exacerbated by the closure of the Ressano Garcia- Lebombo border at Komatipoort with South Africa.
Though the Lomahasha and Mhlumeni borders remain open, traffic is minimal. Last week the ministry of Home Affairs said at least 35 refugees escaping the violence had registered at the Malindza Refugee Camp.
Jm/news agencies/today/20.11.2024.
