Mozambique police fire tear gas at biggest protest yet against ruling party

Mozambican police fired tear gas at thousands of protesters in the capital Maputo on Thursday during the biggest demonstration yet against the long-ruling Frelimo party, which was declared the winner of a disputed election last month.

Anger has mounted since election authorities said Frelimo had won the Oct. 9 vote, extending its 49-year rule. Human rights groups say at least 18 people have been killed in the police crackdown on protests since then.

The election was hotly contested, with many young people supporting independent candidate Venancio Mondlane, who says the vote was rigged and encouraged demonstrations.

Protesters chanted "Power to the people" and "Frelimo must fall" and some blockaded streets with burning tyres and held homemade signs supporting Mondlane.

"This is it. If we don't stand up now, nothing will change," said Julia Macamo, 55, a street vendor and mother of six who was still shaken by the tear gas she inhaled while protesting in the Maxaquene neighbourhood. "It's time to see the back of Frelimo."

Adriano Nuvunga, director of Mozambique's Centre for Democracy and Human Rights, said the country had never seen such large demonstrations.

Civil society groups and Western observers also said the election was unfair and that results were altered. A Frelimo spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.

The party has been accused of vote-rigging in previous polls and has denied it. This sparked smaller protests last year.

President Filipe Nyusi has not spoken since the protests escalated. His defence minister has threatened to deploy the army and warned against attempts to grab power.

DISPUTED VOTE COUNT

Mozambique's Constitutional Council has not yet certified the election results, a process that usually takes around two months.

On Tuesday it ordered the electoral commission to clarify within 72 hours why there had been discrepancies in the number of votes counted in the presidential, legislative and provincial elections, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

An electoral commission spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Many Mozambicans have expressed frustration at lack of economic opportunities while the country is rich in natural resources. TotalEnergies and Exxon Mobil are both developing billion-dollar gas projects in its far north that have been halted by an Islamist insurgency.

"Our generation must act now to ensure a brighter future for the next," said Jessica Muando, 22, a social activist and student. "We are determined to face the risks."

South Africa has closed its main border crossing for security reasons, and its foreign ministry advised its citizens against all but essential travel to Mozambique.

South African logistics company Grindrod on Thursday said it had suspended port and terminal operations in Mozambique.