Mozambique faces more unrest after high court confirms Frelimo victory

Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane called on Tuesday for a nationwide shutdown in Mozambique deepening fears of prolonged violence and economic disruption.

The demand followed a night of protests in which police stations, bank branches and toll booths were attacked and set ablaze. Trade routes to South Africa were also targeted as police in armoured vehicles patrolled the centre of the capital Maputo.

On social media, Mondlane, the Podemos candidate, who has been in hiding abroad since the election, denounced the regime as illegitimate and illegal.

"We must carry on the fight, stay united and strong," he declared.

The central hospital in Maputo is operating under critical conditions, with more than 200 staff members unable to reach the site, Mouzinho Saide, the hospital's director, told AFP.

He reported receiving nearly 90 injured individuals, 40 of whom were wounded by firearms and four by bladed weapons.

The Constitutional Council, the highest court in Mozambique, confirmed on Monday the disputed 9 October election results that extended the Frelimo party's 50-year grip on power.

Daniel Chapo, Frelimo's presidential candidate, who was declared winner, immediately called for dialogue to overcome differences,. But his appeal appears to have fallen on deaf ears.

Ossufo Momade, the leader of the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), also rejected the results and called on the population to mobilise to save democracy.

Mondlane remained in second place with 24.19 percent of the votes (compared to around 20 percent according to the CNE results).

(with newswires)

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