MAPUTO, Mozambique: On Monday, police in Mozambique used teargas to disperse a small group of protestors in the capital, Maputo.
According to AFP, shops across the city closed in anticipation of a demonstration against alleged electoral fraud. The protest, led by opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane, comes after preliminary election results showed the ruling Frelimo party leading the polls.
Tensions have escalated following the deaths of two Mondlane associates, lawyer Elvino Dias and Podemos party candidate Paulo Guambe, who were shot in their vehicle on Saturday. The killings have been condemned by the European Union, African Union, and United Nations, all calling for investigations and urging calm.
Maputo was largely shut down, with helicopters monitoring the situation from above. Mozambique has a history of electoral violence, with previous clashes following elections, including fatal incidents last year. The country awaits the final election results this week amid rising fears of unrest.
