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December 26, 2024 | 03:10 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A prison riot in Mozambique's capital, Maputo, left 33 people dead and 15 injured, the country's police general commander Bernardino Rafael said on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, as civil unrest linked to October's disputed election continues.
A decision on Monday by Mozambique's top court confirming long-ruling party Frelimo's victory in the election has sparked fresh nationwide protests by opposition groups and their supporters who say the vote was rigged.
While Rafael blamed protests outside the prison for encouraging the riot, Justice Minister Helena Kida told local private broadcaster Miramar TV that the unrest was started inside the prison and had nothing to do with protests outside.
"The confrontations after that resulted in 33 deaths and 15 injured in the vicinity of the jail," Rafael told a media briefing, as quoted from Reuters.
The identities of those killed and injured were unclear.
About 1,534 people escaped from the prison in the incident, but 150 have now been recaptured, Rafael said, adding that there were prison break attempts at two other prisons.
A report by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) said the prisoners overpowered guards and seized AK-47 rifles, allowing them to escape the correctional facility.
Mozambican journalist Clemente Carlos told SABC the escapees likely took advantage of the Christmas holiday season, when fewer guards were on duty compared with regular working days.
“This shocking incident raises urgent questions about the state of security and the justice system in Mozambique,” Adriano Nuvunga, director of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Mozambique, wrote on X on Wednesday, as quoted from Al Jazeera.
“Now, more than ever, it is critical for authorities, civil society, and international partners to collaborate to ensure public safety and address the systemic challenges that led to this situation.”
Meanwhile, at least 21 people, including two police officers, were confirmed dead during two days of violence over election results on Monday and Tuesday, including attacks on petrol stations, police stations, and banks.
The fatalities brought the death toll in the country to 151 since October 21, according to Plataforma Decide, an election monitoring group.
REUTERS | AL JAZEERA
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