AFP
A leading opposition candidate in Mozambique’s contested general election on Tuesday accused security forces of killing his lawyer.
“This was a crime committed by the Defence and Security Forces. There’s no doubt about it. The special forces killed Elvino (Dias),” said Venancio Mondlane, a candidate in the presidential election, held simultaneously with parliamentary polls on October 9.
The lawyer, who was preparing to submit a case to the constitutional court contesting early election results showing the ruling Frelimo party ahead in the polls, was shot in the early hours of Saturday.
Frelimo has been in power since the southern African country gained independence from Portugal 49 years ago.
Earlier on Tuesday, election observers from the European Union said they had “noted irregularities during counting and unjustified alteration of election results at the polling station and district level”.
They urged the authorities to conduct the ballot count “in a transparent and credible manner, ensuring the traceability of polling station results”.
Dias was in a car in central Maputo with Paulo Guambe, from the Podemos party which backs Mondlane, when they were surrounded by vehicles and both shot dead, witnesses said.
In a video posted on Facebook, Mondlane accused the security forces of firing at Dias 25 times.
“There is a price on my head,” he continued.
Tensions have been rising in Mozambique ahead of official election results, expected this week.
The EU called for “utmost restraint by all”.
“In view of the social tensions and electoral related violence witnessed in recent days, the EU EOM reiterates its condemnation of the killings of Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe,” the said.
Mondlane called on Monday for a general strike and was among a group of protesters in Maputo, the capital, who were dispersed by police with tear gas.
The former radio presenter, 50, has told his supporters to “paralyse the country” on Thursday and Friday to protest over the forthcoming election results, which he predicted would be “profoundly false”.
President Filipe Nyusi, 65, is stepping down after his two terms allowed by the constitution but his party’s candidate, 47-year-old Daniel Chapo, was widely expected to win the election.
Other presidential candidates included Ossufo Momade, 63, of the main opposition party Renamo, and Lutero Simango, 64, of the Mozambique Democratic Movement.
Electoral violence is not uncommon in the country of 33 million.
Last year, several people were killed in clashes after local elections were won by Frelimo.