|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The African Union Commission (AUC) and the Southern African Union Commission are calling for a peaceful resolution of the escalating post-election violence in Mozambique.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, announced yesterday that they are continuing to closely monitor the developments in Mozambique following the General Elections held on 9 October 2024.
The Chairperson expressed deep concern at the ongoing violence, particularly following the pronouncement of the final election results by the Constitutional Council which resulted in scores of people losing their lives.
The Chairperson expressed sincere condolences to the bereaved and called for calm.
He encouraged security services to exercise restraint in the use of force amid the violence and maintenance of law and order. The Chairperson further urged the Government and all the national political and social actors to seek a peaceful solution to resolving the current crisis to avoid further loss of life and destruction of property.
“The Chairperson reaffirms the AU’s commitment to collaborate with the Mozambican Government and national stakeholders, as well as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) towards putting a stop to the violence and safeguarding of constitutional democracy in the Republic of Mozambique,” a statement from the AUC read.
Meanwhile, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has expressed concern over the disputed elections in Mozambique, calling for dialogue and an end to post-election violence. SADC Chairman and Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa stated that the regional bloc is ready to assist Mozambique in finding a peaceful resolution.
South Africa, a key SADC member, has also weighed in on the issue, with Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lomola, urging all parties to commit to urgent dialogue to heal the country and set it on a new political and developmental trajectory.
Amnesty International has criticized SADC for being slow to respond to the crisis, calling on the regional bloc to take a strong stand against the assault on the right to protest and the killing of protesters. SADC has announced an extraordinary summit to discuss Mozambique’s election and other matters, indicating a willingness to address the situation.
