Latest News

Shooters kill two Mozambique opposition figures ahead of election protests

Shooters killed a. Mozambique opposition legal representative and a party authorities after firing. multiple rounds at an automobile in which they were taking a trip on. Saturday, rights groups said, ratcheting up tensions ahead of. protests against a contested election outcome. New opposition party Podemos and its presidential candidate. Venancio Mondlane turn down provisional outcomes revealing a likely. win for Frelimo the party that has actually ruled Mozambique for half a. century and its candidate Daniel Chapo.

They have required a nationwide strike on Monday.

Mozambican civil society election observer group More. Integrity stated the attack occurred in the Bairro Da Coop. area of the capital Maputo, killing Podemos attorney. Elvino Dias and celebration representative Paulo Guambe.

Human Rights Enjoy and Mozambique's Center for Democracy and. Human Being Rights (CDD) likewise provided statements verifying the. attack.

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

The indicators that around 10 to 15 bullets were shot, and. they died immediately, he included, explaining it as a message to. opposition protesters planning to convene on Monday.

A Frelimo spokesperson did not react to requests for. comment.

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

Mondlane's increase to become Mozambique's primary opposition was a. danger to Frelimo, however likewise to previous official opposition party. Renamo - as soon as a rebel outfit backed by racist white regimes in. South Africa and Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) during the Cold War. Alex Vines, Africa programme director at London-based. global affairs believe tank Chatham House, called the. killing a major escalation that raised stress ahead of. Monday's strike.

Western observers have actually called into question the trustworthiness of. the poll, noting reports of vote purchasing, intimidation, inflated. voter rolls and poor transparency in collation - issues that. have spoiled most surveys considering that Frelimo presented democracy in. 1994 after twenty years in power. Complete results are expected on Oct. 24, but numerous fear Monday's. protest could turn bloody. Mozambique's security forces have. opened fire on protesters, including after in 2015's local. elections, rights groups say.

(source: Reuters)