Mozambique democratic crisis — an urgent call for international solidarity and intervention to protect human rights

The current political crisis in Mozambique demands immediate and active solidarity from the international community—particularly from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union, and all organisations dedicated to the preservation of peace, democracy, and human rights. 

Once celebrated as a model of peaceful democratic transition after the historic 1992 General Peace Agreement, Mozambique now stands at a perilous crossroads. What should be a democratic process fuelling stability and development has instead devolved into a source of deepening instability and state violence. This urgent situation calls for robust international vigilance and assertive diplomatic intervention to safeguard the democratic principles that the Mozambican people fought tirelessly to establish.

Even in more favourable economic times, when Mozambique’s economy was buoyed by a boom in the extractive sector and sustained by the generous support of international partners – who covered more than half of public expenditures through direct budget aid – Frelimo, the ruling party, never achieved the level of electoral support now claimed in the October 2024 elections. The improbable 70% victory is especially implausible amid a national crisis: economic collapse, social despair, unpaid public servants  and essential workers from healthcare and education sectors left without salaries or career progression for more than a decade. Mozambique is a nation paralysed by systemic corruption and gross mismanagement of resources, eroding any semblance of democratic legitimacy.

The disillusionment among Mozambique’s youth, who constitute the majority of the voting population, reflects a profound and rising rejection of a system that has repeatedly failed to deliver a sustainable future. The government’s brutal repression of peaceful protests by young people and citizens demanding transparency and electoral justice underscores an entrenched authoritarianism desperate to cling to power. 

By monopolising control over key democratic institutions such as the National Election Commission (CNE) and the Constitutional Council, Frelimo has transformed these bodies into instruments of its hegemony, stripping the electoral process of credibility and reducing Mozambican democracy to a facade with no genuine representation of the people's will.

Alarming evidence of electoral fraud and opacity in the vote-counting process, particularly in opposition strongholds, has cast further doubt on the election’s legitimacy. Verified reports indicate widespread manipulation: altered polling station results; opposition representatives barred from monitoring vote counts; and district-level tabulations conducted in secrecy, devoid of independent oversight. 

National and international observers have documented these abuses extensively and have called for the urgent release of original polling station results to ensure transparency. The CNE’s refusal to honour these requests has only deepened public and international mistrust, reinforcing suspicions of a fraudulent electoral process.

The aftermath of the elections has seen an appalling escalation of state violence. Inspired by opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, thousands of young Mozambicans took to the streets to demand respect for their democratic rights. Instead of dialogue, the government responded with unrestrained violence. Police, armed with tear gas, live ammunition and even helicopters, turned Mozambique’s cities into battlegrounds. The indiscriminate use of lethal force against unarmed civilians is a grave violation of human rights, exposing the government’s disdain for the people’s legitimate demands and its brazen disregard for human life.

The repressive crackdown has extended beyond protesters to target journalists and media professionals, as authorities confiscate equipment and physically assault reporters in a blatant attempt to suppress the truth. This ruthless strategy has further damaged Mozambique’s international standing, exposing a regime intolerant of press freedom and transparency.

In an alarming move to stifle dissent, the government implemented a nationwide internet blackout on protest days, crippling communication and isolating the population. This decision not only harms Mozambique’s global image but also constitutes a severe violation of human rights, infringing on freedom of expression and the right to information. Silencing an entire population during a crisis is an extreme and authoritarian measure, revealing a government deeply insecure in the face of a populace demanding change.

Compounding this atmosphere of fear, the targeted assassinations of opposition figures such as lawyer Elvino Dias and party representative Paulo Guambe have underscored the regime’s readiness to use lethal measures to silence dissent. These killings, widely interpreted as politically motivated, seek to dissuade public participation and eliminate vocal critics of the government. The murders of these defenders of democracy serve as grim reminders of the harrowing journey Mozambique still faces in its pursuit of justice and freedom.

The internal crisis now threatens regional stability. As a member of SADC and the African Union, Mozambique has binding obligations to uphold peace, democracy, and human rights. The international community, therefore, must act decisively, pressing the Mozambican government to respect citizens’ rights to peaceful protest and initiating pathways for dialogue and national reconciliation.

South Africa’s experience provides a powerful example for Mozambique. When confronted with its own crises of political instability and waning public trust, President Cyril Ramaphosa formed a coalition government with opposition parties, strengthening democratic governance and restoring public confidence. South Africa’s journey illustrates that building a resilient democracy requires open dialogue, inclusive governance  and the courage to embrace reform in times of crisis.

We urgently call on the international community to stand in unwavering solidarity with the Mozambican people, supporting an inclusive political solution and fostering dialogue among all parties. SADC, the African Union, and other international bodies must mobilise to reinforce Mozambique’s democratic institutions and promote an authentic democratic transition that reflects the will of the people and secures a peaceful and just future.

Mozambique cannot endure another cycle of repression, violence, and impunity. The peace, dignity and fundamental freedoms of the Mozambican people are at stake. The world must act now to ensure that human rights and democracy prevail, allowing the Mozambican people to forge a nation grounded in justice, inclusion, and respect for human dignity. DM