33 Dead and 15 Injured in Inmate-Guard Clash
In Mozambique, Africa, nationwide protests reignited over allegations of 'fraudulent elections' in the presidential race, leading to riots including the mass escape of about 1,500 prisoners from a prison.
Mozambican soldiers armed with rifles and other weapons patrolled the streets of the capital, Maputo, last month. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
According to foreign media such as CNN on the 25th (local time), 1,534 inmates escaped from a prison about 15 km away from Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. Bernardino Rafael, head of the Mozambique police, reported that during the escape, clashes between inmates and prison guards resulted in 33 deaths and 15 injuries. He also added that about 150 escapees were arrested through a search operation supported by the military.
The prison break occurred amid renewed protests opposing the confirmed victory of the ruling party candidate, Daniel Chapo, in the Mozambique presidential election. Earlier, on the 23rd, the Mozambique Constitutional Council confirmed the victory of Chapo, the candidate of the ruling party FRELIMO (Mozambique Liberation Front), sparking protests mainly led by the opposition.
It is reported that 21 people, including two police officers, died due to clashes between protesters and police up to the previous day. Chief Rafael claimed that the anti-government protests incited the riot inside the prison. On the other hand, Helena Kida, Minister of Justice, stated that the riot started inside the prison and had no connection with the external protests.
FRELIMO has been the long-ruling party for nearly 50 years since Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975. After the provisional results showed FRELIMO's victory in the presidential election held on October 9, opposition candidate and independent Benancio Mondlane claimed that he actually received the majority of votes, triggering protests against the election results.
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