Latest News

Shooters eliminate 2 Mozambique opposition figures ahead of election demonstrations

storyp1> JOHANNESBURG, Oct 19 (Reuters) Shooters killed a Mozambique opposition legal representative and a celebration official after shooting several rounds at a car in which they were travelling on Saturday, rights groups said, ratcheting up tensions ahead of demonstrations versus a disputed election result.

New opposition party Podemos and its governmental aspirant Venancio Mondlane turn down provisional results showing a likely win for Frelimo - the celebration that has actually ruled Mozambique for half a century - and its prospect Daniel Chapo.

They have required a nationwide strike on Monday.

Mozambican civil society election observer group More Integrity stated the attack took place in the Bairro Da Cage area of the capital Maputo, eliminating Podemos lawyer Elvino Dias and party representative Paulo Guambe.

Human Rights View and Mozambique's Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CDD) likewise provided statements confirming the attack.

They were completely assassinated (in a) cold-blooded murder, Adriano Nuvunga, CDD director, told Reuters by telephone.

The indications that around 10 to 15 bullets were shot, and they passed away immediately, he included, describing it as a message to opposition protesters preparing to assemble on Monday.

A Frelimo representative did not react to ask for comment.

The European Union and Mozambique's former colonial ruler Portugal condemned the killing and called for an investigation.

Mondlane's rise to become Mozambique's main opposition was a risk to Frelimo, but also to previous official opposition party Renamo - as soon as a rebel clothing backed by racist white routines in South Africa and Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) during the Cold War.

Alex Vines, Africa program director at London-based worldwide affairs believe tank Chatham Home, called the killing a major escalation that raised stress ahead of Monday's strike.

Western observers have cast doubt on the reliability of the survey, keeping in mind reports of vote purchasing, intimidation, inflated voter rolls and bad openness in collation - problems that have actually spoiled most surveys since Frelimo presented democracy in 1994 after two decades in power.

Full results are anticipated on Oct. 24, however many fear Monday's demonstration might turn bloody. Mozambique's security forces have opened fire on protesters, consisting of after last year's regional elections, rights groups state.


(source: Reuters)