On March 5, 2025, Mozambique police fired on a peaceful opposition parade, injuring 16 people, in a brutal attack condemned by Human Rights Watch. The parade, in Maputo and led by Venancio Mondlane, was part of protests against recent election results. Calls for an investigation into police actions and improvements in their use of force were made amid ongoing social tensions and previous human rights abuses.
On March 5, 2025, police in Mozambique opened fire on a peaceful opposition parade, injuring at least 16 individuals, including two children, as reported by Human Rights Watch. The event, led by former presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, took place in the capital city, Maputo, where hundreds participated in a spirited celebration before the attack occurred.
The parade, consisting of approximately six vehicles, progressed without incident for three kilometers while police were deployed throughout the city. This was prior to a political agreement signing ceremony aimed at initiating a two-year dialogue to address the country’s post-electoral crisis, excluding Mondlane from discussions.
Ashwanee Budoo-Scholtz, the deputy Africa director at Human Rights Watch, condemned the police actions, stating, “The Mozambican police’s use of lethal force against participants in a peaceful parade shows disturbing disregard for life and the law.” She called for a thorough investigation into the unprovoked violence against political opponents.
Since October 2024, Mozambique has witnessed significant protests against the 2024 election results, rising living costs, and various societal issues, which have led security forces to commit numerous human rights abuses, including over 300 unlawful killings.
Around midday, as Mondlane’s convoy neared a police unit’s armored vehicle, officers opened fire with live ammunition and tear gas, forcing parade participants to flee in panic. Witnesses described the transition from joy to chaos, with several voicing their terror during the incident.
Leonel Muchina, a police spokesman, justified the use of tear gas by claiming demonstrators were disrupting traffic, despite the signing ceremony beginning hours later. The specifics of the convoy’s intended destination were clarified by Mondlane’s spokesman, who noted it was not aimed at disrupting the event.
The police denied knowledge of live ammunition usage, attributing injuries mainly to the chaos of fleeing participants. Following the incident, Mateus Saize, Mozambique’s new minister of justice, criticized the frequent employment of lethal force against protestors and advocated for the adoption of less-lethal methods.
The United Nations and African guidelines emphasize that law enforcement should minimize force and seek nonviolent solutions before resorting to firearms. The UN explicitly states that firearms should not be used merely to disperse assemblies, highlighting the need for caution and appropriate measures in such situations.
Budoo-Scholtz urged the Mozambican government to go beyond mere calls for reform of police practices. She insisted that adequate redress must be provided for victims of police violence to prevent such occurrences in the future.
The violent police response to a peaceful opposition parade in Mozambique on March 5, 2025, raises serious concerns about the treatment of political dissent in the country. The government’s failure to uphold human rights and engage in meaningful reform has led to an environment where excessive force is routinely used against protesters. Strengthening accountability measures and adhering to international guidelines are crucial for protecting citizens’ rights and ensuring public safety.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
