More than 1,500 escape in Mozambique prison break amid election tensions

FRANCE 24

25 December 2024 at 3:03 pm·2-min read

Empty streets and closed shops in central Maputo ahead of a ruling on disputed elections on December 23, 2024.

More than 1,500 people escaped during a prison riot in Mozambique's capital Maputo that left 33 people dead on Wednesday. About 150 have since been recaptured injured, according to police general commander Bernardino Rafael.

A prison riot in Mozambique's capital Maputo left 33 people dead and 15 injured, police general commander Bernardino Rafael said on Wednesday.

About 1,534 people escaped from the prison but 150 of them have now been recaptured, he said.

Groups of protesters had approached the penitentiary Wednesday, creating confusion and triggering unrest inside the prison, where inmates ended up knocking down a wall through which they escaped, Rafael explained.

Around 30 of the prisoners were linked to armed groups that have been behind unrest and attacks in the northern province of Cabo Delgado for the past seven years.

The prison break comes a day after at least 21 people were killed in unrest that erupted when Mozambique's top court on Monday confirmed the victory of the long-ruling Frelimo party's presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo, in disputed October elections.

The decision by the Portuguese-speaking country's Constitutional Council sparked fresh nationwide protests by opposition groups and their supporters, who say the vote was rigged.

At least 78 people have been arrested so far and security measures have been tightened across the country, Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda told public broadcaster TVM on Tuesday.

"The armed and defense force will increase its presence in critical and key points," he said.

Frelimo, in power since 1975, has been repeatedly accused by opponents and election observers of rigging votes.

It has denied those accusations.