Yolande Makolo, spokesperson for Rwanda, stated there are no Rwandan troops in Maputo during ongoing post-election protests. Rwandan forces remain in Cabo Delgado, combating extremist groups. Allegations of troop presence in the capital are labeled false, as demonstrations against election results persist, led by opposition candidate Venâncio Mondlane.
On Sunday, Yolande Makolo, spokesperson for the Government of Rwanda, explicitly stated that there are no Rwandan troops deployed in Maputo amidst ongoing post-election demonstrations. This statement directly contradicts circulating rumors suggesting otherwise. Makolo clarified on her official social media account that the Rwandan Security Forces are exclusively stationed in Cabo Delgado province to engage in joint operations with Mozambican forces, focusing on combating extremist Islamist insurgents threatening the local population. Makolo characterized the rumors of Rwandan troop mobilization to Maputo as false, asserting, “This is a lie.” Her remarks come in light of recent protests in the Mozambican capital, which have seen public disturbances intensify over election results. Over 2,000 Rwandan soldiers have been stationed in Cabo Delgado since April, collaborating with Mozambican forces against terrorist insurgents active in the region for the past seven years, notably protecting the area involved in a significant natural gas project led by French company TotalEnergies, following a bilateral agreement. On the day of Makolo’s statement, Maputo experienced a respite from unrest after three consecutive days of demonstrations led primarily by supporters of Venâncio Mondlane, a presidential candidate contesting the election results. Police interventions had included the use of tear gas to disperse crowds. Despite the recent chaos, normal marketplace operations resumed in the suburbs, with a surprising Sunday demand noted. Mondlane has announced plans for a general strike starting on October 31, along with additional demonstrations scheduled for November 7, marking what he refers to as the third phase of challenging the election results announced on October 24. With Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo party declared victorious with 70.67% of the votes, Mondlane, who received 20.32%, has publicly rejected the outcome pending the Constitutional Council’s validation.
Following the recent general elections in Mozambique, where significant protests erupted in response to the announced victory of the ruling party candidate, there were widespread allegations regarding the presence of Rwandan troops in the capital, Maputo. These protests, driven by opposition dated back to October 9, have been particularly intense, leading to confrontations with the police and unfortunate casualties. The political atmosphere surrounding these elections has intensified, given the longstanding conflict in Cabo Delgado province where Rwandan forces are actively engaged. The clarification by Rwanda’s government comes amid rising tensions and public unrest as the opposition seeks to contest electoral outcomes, asserting their claims on the legitimacy of the polling results.
In summary, the spokesperson for the Government of Rwanda has refuted allegations of Rwandan troop presence in Maputo, maintaining that their military personnel are solely engaged in operations in Cabo Delgado against extremist threats. The ongoing protests in Mozambique reveal significant political discontent, particularly from supporters of the opposition. Amidst claims of election rigging, the tensions between the government and the opposition appear to be escalating, with planned strikes and demonstrations by Mondlane set on the horizon.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
