Mozambique’s security forces have killed at least 10 children and injured dozens of others while attempting to suppress weeks of protests following a disputed presidential election, Human Rights Watch reported on Monday. The protests erupted after the ruling party’s candidate, Daniel Chapo, was declared the winner of the October 9 election, amid opposition claims of fraud and international criticism, including from EU observers.
The unrest intensified after the killings of two senior opposition figures on October 18, which were labeled political assassinations by their party. Thousands of Mozambicans have since taken to the streets in major cities, including the capital, Maputo. Security forces have reportedly fired live ammunition to disperse demonstrators, with international rights groups estimating that at least 30 protesters have been killed, though Mozambican groups claim the death toll is closer to 50.
The violence has also led to mass detentions, with more than 2,700 people—many of them teenagers—arrested since the election results were announced on October 24. Human Rights Watch has condemned these actions as violations of international law, particularly the prolonged detention of minors.
Chapo’s victory extends the ruling Frelimo party’s half-century hold on power since Mozambique’s independence from Portugal in 1975. Frelimo has long faced allegations of election rigging, and the current protests pose the most significant challenge to its rule in years.
The demonstrations have disrupted daily life, forcing schools and businesses to close as residents stay home to avoid violence. The government has deployed the army to restore order, but the situation remains volatile, with international calls for accountability growing.