MAPUTO, Mozambique — Violence engulfed Mozambique after the country’s highest court confirmed the ruling Frelimo party’s presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo, as the winner in disputed elections held Oct. 9. At least 21 people were killed, including two police officers, the authorities said Tuesday.
Mozambique’s interior minister, Pascoal Ronda, said at a news conference in the capital, Maputo, late Tuesday that a wave of violence and looting was sparked by the court’s announcement a day earlier. He said it was led by mostly youthful supporters of the losing candidate, Venancio Mondlane, who received 24 percent of the vote, second to Mr. Chapo, who got 65 percent.
“From the preliminary survey, in the last 24 hours, 236 acts of violence were recorded throughout the national territory that resulted in 21 deaths, of which two members of the police of the Republic of Mozambique also died,” Mr. Ronda said. He said 13 civilians and 12 police were also injured.
Mr. Ronda said that 25 vehicles were set on fire, including two from the police. He added that a penitentiary was attacked and vandalized and that 86 inmates were released.
Tensions were high in the country ahead of the Constitutional Council ruling on Monday, and violent protests started immediately after its announcement.
Footage circulating on social media platforms showed protesters burning and looting shops in Maputo and the city of Beira.
Mr. Mondlane has called for a “shutdown” starting Friday. The country of 34 million people has been on edge since the Oct. 9 election. Mr. Mondlane’s supporters, mostly hundreds of thousands of young people, have taken to the streets and sometimes been met by gunfire from security forces.
More than 150 people have died from post-election violence since the initial results were announced by the country’s electoral body.
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