WATCH | SA calls for urgent dialogue in Mozambique

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Cape Town – The South African government has urged all parties in Mozambique to engage in urgent dialogue following ongoing violence and protests.

This call was made after the Constitutional Council of Mozambique confirmed the disputed October election results, which extended the ruling Frelimo party’s power.

Protests following the election have resulted in at least 21 people, including two police officers being killed, according to AFP. 

The Portuguese-speaking African country’s highest court had confirmed on Monday that the Frelimo party, in power since 1975, won the October 9 presidential election that had already triggered weeks of unrest.

A total of “236 acts of serious violence were reported” across the country, leaving at least 25 people wounded including 13 police officers, Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda told a press conference late Tuesday.

“Groups of armed men using bladed weapons and firearms have carried out attacks against police stations, penitentiary establishments, and other infrastructure,” Ronda said.

More than 70 people have been arrested, he added.

South Africa, through International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola, has  expressed concerns and offered assistance to facilitate the dialogue.

“South Africa calls on all parties to commit to an urgent dialogue that will heal the country and set it on a new political and developmental trajectory,” Lamola said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.

The government also emphasised restraint and calm.

“South Africa calls on all parties to exercise restraint and calm,” the minister said.

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