Urgent Call for African-Based Resolution Amidst Mozambique Post-Election Violence

By Staff Reporter

Renewed calls have been made by experts and leaders for an African-based resolution to the growing post-election violence in Mozambique. The violence that emerged in the wake of highly contested elections on October 9, 2024, is rooted in such a complex political, social, and economic interplay that foreign interventions are always open to questions on their efficacy.

Those polls have been marred by accusations of irregularities and though opposition leader Venancio Mondlane says the results were rigged, the ruling Frelimo party declared itself the winner. That has led to widespread protests and violent clashes in a historical context of political violence flowing from the civil war that ended in 1992. This is where the long history of mistrust between Frelimo and the opposition, especially Renamo, still lives, feeding into the tensions.

Making the situation worse is socioeconomic concern: in Mozambique, almost two-thirds live below the threshold of poverty. Much of the citizenry feels left out of the supposed gains to accrue from the natural resources; this is further exacerbated by the hidden debt crisis that erupted in 2014. High levels of unemployment among youths have always been an added factor to these frustrations, impelling young people to take to the streets in protest.

While international bodies like the European Union and many countries in the West usually try to seek intervention in crises in Africa, often their involvement makes the situations worse. Critics argue that these external forces may not understand the full complexity of local contexts, leading to interventions that may be inappropriate or even harmful.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has called on the security forces to show restraint and appealed to all national political and social actors to work for a peaceful resolution. AUC Chairperson calls for peaceful resolution of the escalating post-election violence in Mozambique. He made very strong remarks on the fact that there is an urgent need for dialogue involving all stakeholders, including opposition and civil society, aimed at finding a solution to the real causes of this unrest.

The most important actors in the mediation of the conflict are the African Union and the Southern African Development Community, SADC. Their involvement is very critical in restoring peace and making sure that the voices of all Mozambicans are heard within the political process.

The situation in Mozambique has been going on, so has the call for an African-led solution that has emphasized the importance of local voices being brought to the fore in leading a discussion around the crisis. All that needs doing is the way cleared with the correct backing and commitment to dialogue, then Mozambique will be ableq to find its route through the present trying times into a lasting solution reflective of the yearning of the people.

The future of Mozambique depends on the leadership and citizens uniting as one to rebuild unity and regain trust in moving the country toward a stable and prosperous future.