By Paschal Norbert
MAPUTO, NOVEMBER 29, 2024 (CISA) – On November 12, 2024, a high-profile delegation from the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) and the South African Council of Churches (SACC) traveled to Maputo, Mozambique, in a powerful gesture of solidarity with the Mozambican Episcopal Conference (CEM). The ecumenical visit coincided with heightened tensions in Mozambique following contested national elections marred by allegations of fraud.
These allegations have sparked violent protests nationwide, deepening political and social instability. Archbishop Buti Tlhagale, Bishop Sithembele Sipuka, and Bishop João Rodriguez of the SACBC, alongside Rev Mzwandile Moyo of the SACC, sought to listen, support, and explore ways to assist in fostering peace and justice during this tumultuous period.
Since the announcement of election results on October 9, Mozambique has been gripped by unrest. Protesters, accusing the government of tampering with ballots and manipulating tallies, have taken to the streets across the nation. A recent wave of violence broke out in Nampula, where three people were killed, including two men and a woman, after police reportedly fired live bullets into homes and used tear gas during peaceful demonstrations. In Quelimane, Zambezia province, authorities disrupted a planned march for Mayor Manuel de Araújo, leading to clashes with protesters who burned tires and erected barricades. The police’s heavy-handed tactics have only fueled public anger, with one 16-year-old killed and several others injured.
In the district of Inhassunge, rioters escalated their response by destroying police command posts and killing a member of the electoral commission. These incidents underscore the public’s outrage over what the Mozambican bishops have called “election results that are a fraud,” reflecting a judicial and political system unable to honor the people’s will.
Welcomed by Archbishop João Carlos Hatoa Nunes of Maputo, the SACBC and SACC delegation discussed the dire situation with CEM leaders, who lamented the erosion of judicial independence and the manipulation of electoral laws. They emphasized the critical need for justice to restore peace, as articulated by Archbishop Nunes: “Peace is absolutely needed in this time; so is justice, and it is difficult to have peace without the will of the people being accepted.”
Bishop Sipuka, who is also the president of SACC and the outgoing president of SACBC, expressed the South African delegation’s commitment to ongoing accompaniment, stating, “We will continue to journey with you in this time so we can communicate back to Catholics and the broader Christian community, to assist with whatever is needed.” He also drew hope from Pope Francis’s recent Angelus address, which offered prayers for Mozambique and emphasized solidarity with its people.
The Catholic Church in Mozambique has long maintained a critical role in fostering dialogue between the government, civil society, and religious groups. Despite its strong relationship with the government, rooted in its significant contributions to education, healthcare, and social services, the Church remains fiercely independent, advocating for the integrity of the democratic process. However, divisions persist among political factions, with some unwilling to compromise.
The SACBC and SACC delegation’s visit not only bolstered the morale of local bishops and faithful but also highlighted the broader Christian community’s concern for Mozambique’s challenges. The bishops affirmed that dialogue remains essential, even amid deep political divides and entrenched mistrust.
