By Wesley Omondi
MAPUTO, OCTOBER 25, 2024 (CISA) – Following the murder of two opposition politicians during post-election protests, Catholic Bishops in Mozambique have appealed for calm, justice, and an end to political violence. The call comes after the country’s October 9 General Elections, which were followed by widespread unrest.
On October 21, police fired teargas and live ammunition at demonstrators in the capital, Maputo, after two opposition members were killed.
“Violence was once again used after the election, culminating in a cowardly ambush, aimed at silencing democracy and truth,” the Catholic Bishops said.
The murders, which took place on October 19, have heightened tensions in Mozambique, with opposition party Podemos, which backed the main opponent, the independent candidate Venancio Mondlane, rejecting the provisional election results.
The Episcopal Conference of Mozambique (CEM) condemned the killings, describing them as part of a pattern of violence targeting opposition figures following elections in the country.
“We strongly denounce the barbaric killings, which bear a resemblance to previous murders of political figures, particularly from the opposition, in the aftermath of past elections,” the CEM members added.
The Catholic Church, while neutral in the political arena, reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of justice, inclusivity, and democracy. According to the Bishops, the Church remains a moral guide for building a peaceful and just society, even though it does not take political sides.
“The Catholic Church is non-partisan, but we are committed to the path toward a more democratic, inclusive, and just society, where everyone can live in peace and dignity,” the Bishops stated.
The CEM lamented the chaotic atmosphere surrounding the post-election protests, criticizing both the violence and the irregularities observed during the election. They emphasized that the Church could not remain silent amid the turbulence that has engulfed the nation.
“The violence has plunged everyone into chaos, and we cannot fail to speak out against this injustice,” the Catholic Bishops declared.
Reflecting on the election, the Bishops noted that the voter turnout was alarmingly low, with over half of the registered voters abstaining from the polls. They attributed this to a widespread belief that election fraud had compromised the integrity of the process.
“More than half of the registered Mozambicans chose not to vote, reflecting their loss of faith in the electoral system due to previous instances of fraud,” the Bishops observed.
The Catholic Bishops pointed out that election fraud was rampant during the latest polls, further eroding the public’s trust in the electoral process. They cited ballot box stuffing and forged notices as part of a broader scheme to manipulate the outcome.
“Gross fraud, including ballot stuffing and falsified documents, was rampant, deepening the mistrust in our electoral system,” they said.
The CEM criticized the country’s electoral bodies, accusing them of perpetuating impunity by failing to address these irregularities. The Bishops questioned whether such fraudulent practices could lead to legitimate election results, calling into question the entire electoral process.
“Certifying fraudulent results is tantamount to committing fraud. How can we trust the legitimacy of elected leaders when electoral bodies fail to respect the truth?” the Bishops asked.
The Church leaders also warned against manipulating young people into participating in violent demonstrations. They called for peaceful protests and urged the youth to resist being dragged into acts of vandalism.
“Young people should be allowed to express themselves peacefully, but they must not be manipulated into destructive actions,” the Bishops advised.
Finally, the CEM reiterated the importance of safeguarding the nation’s youth, emphasizing that young people deserve to grow up in peace and should not be subjected to political exploitation. They condemned any attempts to instill hatred or revenge in the younger generation.
“Our youth, born in a time of peace, deserve to live in peace. We cannot allow political parties to poison them with harmful ideologies of hatred and revenge,” the Bishops concluded.
