Mozambique: Children Among Those Killed in Post-Election Protests

NIGPOST – Mozambique: Children Among Those Killed in Post-Election Protests

The recent funeral of 16-year-old Antonio Juaqim, who was fatally shot during protests in Mozambique following last month’s presidential election, has brought the escalating violence in the country into sharp focus.

Antonio was one of many victims of the protests that erupted after the re-election of Frelimo’s presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo, with 71% of the vote.

Human Rights Watch has reported that at least 40 people, including 10 children, have been killed in the ongoing police crackdown.

Antonio’s death has highlighted the growing unrest, with his family and friends mourning his loss at São Francisco Xavier Cemetery in Maputo.

His uncle, Manuel Samuel, described the horrific injury Antonio sustained, saying, “Antonio was shot in the mouth, and the bullet went through the back of his head,” and referenced CCTV footage allegedly showing police firing at protesters.

The protests were sparked by accusations of electoral fraud from opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, who secured 20% of the vote. Mondlane, now in exile due to fears of arrest, has called for nightly protests, with his supporters banging pots and pans.

Since November 15, Maputo has been rocked by demonstrations, many of which have turned violent.

Mozambique’s police commander, Bernadino Raphael, expressed condolences for the victims but placed the blame on the opposition for using children as human shields during protests.

He claimed that police were forced to defend themselves, citing incidents of violence that resulted in six police officers being killed and numerous properties damaged.

However, opposition leaders and human rights organizations have accused the police of using excessive force.

Borges Nhamirre, an analyst with the Institute for Security Studies, attributed the unrest to widespread frustration among Mozambique’s youth, who are dissatisfied with the lack of economic opportunities under the long-standing rule of Frelimo.

“They don’t care about who brought independence. The independence they want is their financial independence,” Nhamirre said, pointing to high unemployment as a key driver of unrest.

At Antonio’s funeral, his friends released colorful balloons and planted flowers on his grave, symbolizing their grief for a life cut short.

“They are killing us and our future,” his uncle lamented. In another neighborhood, friends of 20-year-old Alito Momad, also killed in the protests, held a vigil, mourning the loss of a young life claimed by violence.

The ongoing protests and violence have marked one of Mozambique’s most turbulent periods since it adopted multi-party democracy 30 years ago.

As the unrest continues, many are hopeful that the courts will address opposition calls to annul the election results, but the nightly protests show no sign of abating.