Mozambique is facing heightened tensions following the murder of two prominent opposition figures ahead of planned protests against the election results.
Elvino Dias, a lawyer for the new opposition party Podemos and advisor to its presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, was killed alongside party official Paulo Guambe. They were shot late Friday night by assailants pursuing their vehicle.
Social media videos show a BMW SUV riddled with bullet holes, underscoring the violence of the attack.
Their deaths come as the country awaits results from the contested October 9 election, set to be announced on October 24. Provisional results suggest a likely victory for Frelimo, which has ruled Mozambique since its independence in 1975.
Western election observers have raised concerns about the election’s integrity, citing issues such as vote-buying and suppression of dissent. Opposition parties, including Podemos, have alleged fraud and called for a nationwide strike on Monday.
With past instances of security forces opening fire on protesters, there are fears that the upcoming demonstrations could escalate into violence. The European Union and Portugal have condemned the killings of the Podemos officials and are calling for an investigation.