An election observer from the Center for Public Integrity (CIP) was detained for a few hours in Quissanga, in Cabo Delgado province, accused by the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) - which detained him - of being a terrorist, despite being properly identified.

The arrest took place when the observer was photographing detached leaflets at Quissanga Secondary School.

"He presented the badge issued by the electoral bodies, but even that wasn't enough for him to be released. It took the intervention of his family to get him released," writes the CIP Electoral Bulletin.

However, the observer was forced to delete all the photos, which for the IPC is a form of intimidation, even more so under allegations of being a member of terrorist groups.