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Shutdown Calls, Killings Continue - How Mozambique Got Here

Mozambique finds itself in a situation it was in almost 40 years ago. Then it was forced to undergo a necessary but painful transition from its Marxist-Leninist path. This was precipitated by the collapse of its economy. It, however, remained an undemocratic one-party state. Today, it faces the challenge of changing its entire governance model, writes Luca Bussotti for The Conversation Africa.

The runner-up in October's presidential election, Venancio Mondlane, has again called for another round of protests to "shut down Maputo" and other cities, as outgoing President Filipe Nyusi appealed for an end to the violence.

The country's police have also accused local and foreign civil society organizations of "financing and orchestrating" the post-election protests that have paralyzed the southern African nation. Demonstrators are "taking advantage" of the right of protest to engage in "subversive acts of terror", Senior Commander Fernando Tsucan has said, warning foreign residents against participating in "activities that could be deemed unlawful" or interfering with the country's internal affairs.

Attacks on police posts and buildings belonging to the ruling Frelimo party have reportedly increased as the authorities become more aggressive in their crackdown on the protests, killing more than 85 people.

Meanwhile, Frelimo has been pushing for the early validation of the election results by the Constitutional Council, urging it not to yield to pressure from protesters, who built several mock graves with the names and photographs of key Frelimo figures.

Verdade

Riot police (file photo).

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