By McGeorge Mbare
The dreadful protests in Mozambique continue to turn the country upside down ever since the election of new President Daniel Chapo in October.
The capital city of Mozambique, Maputo has turned into a battle field and paralyzed with almost all stores closed and roads barricaded. This comes after an incident where an armoured vehicle run over a protester and protesters decided to retaliate by setting fire to the vehicle.
A social media activist Cidia Chissungo took social media to highlight the chaotic situation in the Maputo.
“The city and the province of Maputo are once again paralyzed as all stores closed …once again ,drivers stopped their vehicles on the roads ,some spontaneously and others forcibly .there are no reports of police intervention, ”Chissungo wrote on X.
Meanwhile, the Embassy of the United States, British High Commission, Commission of Canada, Norway and Switzerland jointly issued a statement condemning the escalated violence against civilians in the Southern African Country.
“We strongly condemn the escalating violence against civilians during the post elections period in Mozambique .this has included an incident on November 27 in which a vehicle of the Mozambique security forces accelerated toward a gathering of people and brutally struck a person .we call on the Government of Mozambique and to conduct an investigation into this incident and the other reports of the disproportionate use of force in order to ensure accountability in accordance with the law,“ reads the joint statement.
As heavy protest over the election results questions arise on the ability of the SADC bloc to effectively deal with regional electoral disputes and instabilities.