On Christmas Day, over 6,000 inmates escaped from a high-security prison in Mozambique amid post-election riots. The unrest follows the ruling party’s electoral victory, leading to violence and protests that facilitated the prison breakout. Authorities reported casualties among inmates and expressed concerns about the implications of freeing convicted terrorists during the chaos.
On Christmas Day, at least 6,000 inmates escaped from Maputo Central Prison in Mozambique during a violent uprising linked to post-election unrest. The police chief, Bernardino Rafael, reported that the outbreak resulted in the deaths of thirty-three prisoners and injuries to fifteen others during a confrontational clash with security forces. The rebellion erupted amid widespread protests triggered by the Constitutional Council’s announcement of the ruling Frelimo party’s victory in the October 9 elections.
The escape began around midday as tensions escalated among protesters, who were reportedly engaged in destructive riots targeting police facilities and public property. During the chaos, prisoners overwhelmed the prison warders, seizing weapons and liberating fellow inmates, including those convicted of terrorism. Rafael expressed concerns about the potential threat posed by the released convicts. “A curious fact is that in that prison we had 29 convicted terrorists, who they released. We are worried, as a country, as Mozambicans, as members of the defense and security forces,” he noted.
Authorities are urging the escaped prisoners to voluntarily surrender and are calling upon the public to be vigilant regarding the fugitives. Reports of the incident have circulated widely on social media, with videos showing inmates fleeing while military personnel and guards attempted to apprehend some. One captured inmate revealed that he had been freed from the disciplinary section of the prison by fellow inmates, exposing the gravity of the situation and the need for immediate security measures to restore order.
The unrest in Mozambique has been driven by widespread dissatisfaction with the political climate following the October 9 elections, which resulted in the ruling Frelimo party maintaining control amid allegations of electoral malpractice. The aftermath of these elections saw an escalation of violence, culminating in mass protests throughout the capital, Maputo. The situation deteriorated to the point where public infrastructure was targeted, reflecting significant unrest within the population and a breakdown of trust in established political institutions. The prison escape coincides with these tensions, raising alarms about public safety and the implications of releasing large numbers of prisoners during such volatile circumstances.
The mass escape of inmates from Maputo Central Prison during violent protests highlights the precarious nature of security in Mozambique amid intensified civil unrest following disputed elections. Authorities remain concerned about the implications of the escape, particularly regarding the release of convicted terrorists, as they seek to recapture the fugitives. The situation exemplifies the urgent need for effective measures to restore public order and address the underlying causes of dissatisfaction within the populace.
Original Source: www.pbs.org
