UN, Nigeria Condemn Post-election Violence in Mozambique, Call for Calm

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, and the Federal Government of Nigeria have expressed concerns over the unrest in Mozambique.
The UN and Nigeria expressed their concerns in separate statements obtained yesterday.
Violent protests rocked Mozambique since presidential polls were held on October 9, resulting in the deaths of 248 people, including 33 in a prison break on Wednesday, according to Plataforma Decide, an election monitoring group.

More than 1,500 inmates fled Maputo Central Prison in Matola, located about 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) from the capital Maputo, where police reported the casualties.
Protests started in late October after Daniel Chapo of the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) was declared the winner of the presidential polls, defeating main opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, who is in exile.

Mondlane has rejected the results, claiming widespread vote rigging and calling on his supporters to protest. He has vowed to install himself as president on January 15.
“The Secretary-General is concerned about the post-election violence, which has resulted in loss of lives and the destruction of public and private property,” spokesman to the UN scribe, Stephanie Tremblay told reporters.
Guterres continues to follow developments closely, Tremblay said.

“He urges all political leaders and relevant national stakeholders to defuse tensions, including through meaningful dialogue and legal redress, refrain from the use of violence, and redouble efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis in a constructive manner, which is essential to the collective future of Mozambicans,” she added.

For its part, the Nigerian government expressed concern over the escalating post-election violence in the Republic of Mozambique.
The Federal Government of Nigeria in a statement yesterday signed by the acting spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, called for calm and advised the aggrieved political players to explore appropriate legal means to seek redress.
The statement added that: “Our thoughts are with the Government of the Republic of Mozambique and the families of all those affected by the dreadful crisis.”