Rights activist Cidia Chissungo has been closely examining disturbing images from Mozambique that she never imagined she would see. The images include young men with bloodied bodies riddled with bullet wounds and teenagers with swollen eyes from tear gas canister injuries inflicted by the Mozambican police. Chissungo, 28, has been documenting the extent of the post-election violence that erupted last week. The images of the dead and injured individuals circulating online have caused her sleepless nights. One particularly gruesome image that haunts her is of a 16-year-old boy whose mouth was completely destroyed by a gunshot. The violence that young Mozambicans are facing following the election is alarming. Clashes began after police fired on supporters of opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane, resulting in at least 11 deaths, numerous injuries, and around 400 detentions, according to Human Rights Watch. Despite calls to stay home by outgoing President Filipe Nyusi, thousands of protesters are expected to take to the streets in Maputo and other cities. The demonstrators are expressing anger over the election results that saw Frelimo party candidate Daniel Chapo win, while Mondlane, a popular figure among the youth, came in second. Allegations of election rigging have fueled the unrest, with Mondlane’s supporters feeling particularly incensed after two of his close associates were killed. The violence has left a trail of destruction in its wake, with burned buildings, looted businesses, and torn election billboards still visible in some areas. Despite the chaos, work has resumed in the cities, but tensions remain high. The youth in Mozambique, who make up a significant portion of the population, have been disillusioned with the ruling Frelimo party due to years of economic decline, corruption, and other issues. The recent election was marred by allegations of fraud and irregularities, leading to widespread protests and clashes between protesters and security forces. The situation escalated when two prominent members of Mondlane’s party were assassinated, sparking further outrage and calls for justice. As Mondlane’s supporters gear up for more protests, the country remains on edge, with fears of continued violence and unrest.
