A mobile internet blackout hit Mozambique’s capital on Friday after protests against the ruling Frelimo party turned violent.
Demonstrations began Thursday, as hundreds of opposition supporters rejected the recent election results. They accused the electoral commission of facilitating a “stolen” ballot in favor of Frelimo, which has been in power since 1975.
The electoral commission declared Frelimo candidate Daniel Chapo the winner of the October 9 election, receiving 71 percent of the vote. This announcement sparked outrage among opposition members, leading to more protests in Maputo on Friday.
The streets were filled with broken glass, burnt tires, and debris from the unrest. Internet outages were reported across various mobile carriers in Maputo, although home access remained unaffected.
“We can confirm a near-total disruption to mobile internet connectivity in Mozambique,” Netblocks reported. The blackout started around noon local time and limited coverage of the ongoing events.
Chapo, a 47-year-old former provincial governor, was relatively unknown prior to his nomination. He will succeed President Filipe Nyusi in January.
Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, who claimed victory with just over 20 percent of the vote, urged further demonstrations. “We absolutely reject these results,” he stated during a Facebook live broadcast.
Rioters set fire to tires and damaged Frelimo’s election billboards. Law enforcement responded with tear gas to disperse protesters who threw stones at police.
European Union observers condemned the violence and called for restraint from all parties involved. They raised concerns about the electoral process, demanding transparency from authorities.
In Nampula, clashes between police and protesters resulted in one death, highlighting the unrest across several cities. The EU noted “net favoritism” for Frelimo during the elections and irregularities in vote counting.
Chapo’s presidency marks a significant change, as he will be the first leader not to have fought in the country’s civil war.