LUSA 10/30/2024

Lusa - Business News - Mozambique: Doctors confirm at least 10 gunshot deaths in nine days

Maputo, Oct. 29, 2024 (Lusa) - At least 10 people lost their lives in Mozambique between 18 and 26 October, victims of gunshot wounds, out of a total of 73 registered cases, Mozambican doctors announced on Tuesday, calling for reinforced care for trauma victims.

"In the period between 18 and 26 October, 73 cases of gunshot wounds were recorded, resulting in 10 deaths," announced the president of the Mozambican Medical Association, Gilberto Manhiça, in statements to the press, reading a joint statement with the association of these health professionals.

The lawyer of presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, Elvino Dias, and the Podemos party representative, Paulo Guambe, were shot dead in Maputo on 18 October.

Following the double murder, Venâncio Mondlane called for marches, which he called peaceful, on 21, 25 and 26 October, which were eventually dispersed by the police with shots fired into the air and tear gas, and there were clashes between the police and the demonstrators in various parts of the country.

At a press conference in Maputo to take stock of the situation from the double murder to the last of the three days of demonstrations, Mozambican doctors denounced the "abrupt and high growth" in cases of gun violence in the country. They called on the police to say that people and property are safe.

According to Mozambican doctors, there are more deaths from gunshot wounds in the city and province of Maputo.

The president of the Mozambican Medical Association, Napoleão Viola, asked the demonstrators to use "non-violent means to express their dissatisfaction and for the parties to recognise and implement measures that ensure the dignity of the human person".

"Let dialogue prevail between the parties and solutions be found to the dispute," he said, calling for increased attendance on days of demonstrations: "On days when demonstrations are expected, it's important to increase the roster. Where two professionals are rostered, perhaps increase the number or put some on standby for situations that may occur [with more] admissions to health centres."

The Mozambican doctors said they were considering setting up a citizen support system that could provide information on focal points to help victims, especially of gunshot wounds, during the demonstrations.

"There is no doubt that we have had crises regarding the availability of resources, but the most important thing is to have the capacity to react to accommodate the situation we are experiencing at this time. What doesn't make sense is to have compatriots who are victims of this violence and not have assistance for these people just because there is a reserve of resources," he added.

According to official sources, at least 24 people were injured during clashes between demonstrators and the police on the 24th and 25th in Maputo, and 371 were arrested.

Mozambique's National Electoral Commission (CNE) announced on Thursday that Daniel Chapo, supported by the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo, the party in power since 1975), won the election for President of the Republic on 9 October with 70.67% of the vote.

Venâncio Mondlane, supported by the non-parliamentary Optimist Party for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos), came second with 20.32% but said he did not recognise these results, which still have to be validated and proclaimed by the Constitutional Council.

Frelimo also strengthened its parliamentary majority, from 184 to 195 deputies (out of 250), and elected all 10 of the country's provincial governors.

In addition to Mondlane, the president of the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo, currently the largest opposition party), Ossufo Momade, one of the four presidential candidates, said that he did not recognise the election results announced by the CNE and called for the vote to be annulled.

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