Two prominent opposition figures in Mozambique killed as election tensions rise

Two prominent opposition figures in Mozambique, Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe, were killed late Friday night, heightening tensions ahead of protests against the contested election results. Elvino Dias, a lawyer for the new opposition party Podemos and advisor to its presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, was traveling with party official Paulo Guambe when they were shot by attackers.

The killing occurred as the country anticipates the release of election results on October 24, with provisional results pointing to a win for Frelimo, Mozambique’s ruling party. The European Union and Portugal have condemned the murders, calling for a full investigation. Despite allegations of fraud and concerns raised by Western observers over election integrity, the incident underscores the growing unrest in Mozambique’s political landscape as the nation awaits its final election outcome.

Meanwhile, Podemos has called for a nationwide strike on Monday, sparking fears of potential violence. Nonetheless, international attention on Mozambique remains strong, with calls for peaceful dialogue and justice growing louder as the country faces a pivotal moment in its democratic journey.