Mozambique - December 2024

Violence in Mozambique continued to escalate during December, as the Constitutional Council confirmed the victory of the governing FRELIMO party in October’s disputed presidential and parliamentary elections. The ruling, delivered on 23 December, was rejected by all opposition parties and candidates, and the final results sparked fresh clashes between protesters and the police. In the week following the ruling, at least 176 people were killed, including protesters, children and police officers. In addition to spiralling police violence (reported to include summary executions), December also saw some protesters increase their looting and attacks on property and the security forces, as well as shut down key economic infrastructure, such as main roads, mines and power stations. By the end of the month, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimated that at least 3,000 people had fled the country to Malawi and Eswatini.               

Sources: Conselho Constitucional, British Broadcasting Corporation, Plataforma Eleitoral DECIDE, Africa Confidential, Le Monde, News 24, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees