At least 10 people are killed by police in Mozambique post-election protests, medical groups say

Two aesculapian groups successful Mozambique opportunity astatine slightest 10 group were fatally changeable by constabulary and 63 others sustained gunshot wounds erstwhile authorities cracked down connected unrest pursuing nan statesmanlike election

MAPUTO, Mozambique -- At slightest 10 group were fatally changeable by constabulary and dozens of others were injured erstwhile authorities cracked down connected unrest pursuing Mozambique's statesmanlike election, 2 aesculapian groups said, arsenic nan state braced Thursday for much protests against a ballot criticized arsenic fraudulent by guidance parties and questioned by world observers.

Daniel Chapo of nan ruling Front for nan Liberation of Mozambique was announced arsenic nan victor of nan election connected Oct. 24, extending nan Frelimo party's 49 years successful powerfulness since independency from Portugal successful 1975. Chapo is to win President Filipe Nyusi, who is stepping down aft serving nan 2 position allowed nether nan constitution.

Frelimo has regularly been accused of rigging elections and Mozambique's information forces person antecedently been criticized for suppressing protests pinch deadly force. Opposition parties claimed fraud connected nan time of nan election, while observers from nan European Union said successful a later study that location were irregularities successful nan ballot counting and immoderate results had been altered.

Tensions were precocious successful the confederate African country successful nan buildup and contiguous aftermath of nan Oct. 9 vote, but much unrest was stoked erstwhile 2 elder officials of an guidance statement were killed successful their car successful nan capital, Maputo, connected Oct. 18 aft being ambushed by unidentified gunmen precocious astatine night. The guidance says nan attackers fired 25 bullets astatine nan car.

The killings were wide seen successful Mozambique arsenic being politically motivated. One of nan victims was nan lawyer and advisor to Venancio Mondlane, nan main guidance campaigner for president who was 2nd successful nan election.

Ten group died of gunshot wounds and different 63 were wounded by gunfire successful protests betwixt Oct. 18 and Oct. 26, nan Medical Association of Mozambique and nan Mozambique Order of Doctors said successful a associated connection Wednesday. “In astir of nan shootings, particularly those that resulted successful death, nan volition of nan constabulary was to sprout to kill," Gilberto Manhiça, nan caput of nan Order of Doctors, was quoted arsenic saying by section media.

In a abstracted statement, Human Rights Watch put nan decease toll astatine 11. It said much than 50 group sustained superior gunshot wounds successful nan protests and called for an investigation into nan “apparently excessive usage of force."

Protesters burned tires and blocked roads successful immoderate cities and authorities characterized immoderate of nan unrest arsenic convulsive that had to beryllium quelled. Police spokesperson Orlando Mudumane told state-run Radio Mozambique that nan business was now “relatively calm and controlled.”

Opposition leader Mondlane has called for a week of caller protests to statesman connected Thursday.

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