Tense Christmas Eve in Mozambique after disputed election outcome
Mozambique's capital Maputo and northern cities were hit by more unrest Tuesday, a day after a top court confirmed the ruling party's victory in a disputed poll. More than a 100 people have already died in the post-election violence. Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane called the court's decision "the humiliation of the people".
Mozambique's largely deserted capital was hit on Tuesday by skirmishes between protesters and police, AFP reporters said, the day after the ruling party was controversially confirmed winners in recent elections.
Police in armoured vehicles patrolled the centre of the city, where hundreds of protesters in small, scattered groups threw objects and started fires.
Makeshift roadblocks on major thoroughfares were set alight on Monday evening, covering the city with thick smoke, soon after the country's highest court confirmed the victory of the ruling Frelimo party presidential candidate Daniel Chapo.
At least 21 people, including two police officers, have been killed in Mozambique in the last 24 hours, the government said.
A total of "236 acts of serious violence were reported" across the country, leaving at least 25 people wounded including 13 police officers, Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda told a press conference late Tuesday.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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