Mozambique's security forces "used excessive force, including live ammunition," in demonstrations against the results of the local elections, causing the deaths of at least three people, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said yesterday.

In a statement quoted by Observador, the human rights non-governmental organization (NGO) also accused the Mozambican police of using "rubber bullets and tear gas against demonstrators, the overwhelming majority of whom were peaceful".

HRW said that the use of "lethal force" to quell the protests led to at least three deaths, including a 10-year-old boy returning from school in Nampula province in northern Mozambique.

The case was revealed by the Center for Public Integrity, which added that the police officer who allegedly hit the child died on Friday, the victim of attacks by people in retaliation.

The same organization said that in the city of Nacala, a young man lost his life when he was hit by a blunt object in the main local market, following skirmishes between the population and the authorities.

"The authorities must immediately investigate why the security forces opened fire, prosecute those responsible (...) and take measures to prevent further bloodshed," said HRW's deputy Africa director, Ashwanee Budoo-Scholtz.

A spokesman for the Nampula city police, Zacarias Nacute, confirmed the incidents to HRW, without giving details, and later criticized the opposition for allowing children to join the protests.

Mozambican cities and towns are experiencing tension, with demonstrations in Maputo, Nampula and Nacala against the results of the October 11 local elections.

The police announced on Friday that at least 10 people had been injured and another 70 arrested in various parts of Mozambique.

The official results indicate a victory for the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) in 64 of the country's 65 municipalities, while the MDM, the third largest party, won only in Beira.

The sixth local elections in Mozambique were held in 65 municipalities, including 12 new municipalities, which went to the polls for the first time.

The Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), the main opposition party, has promoted marches throughout the country to contest the results, bringing together thousands of people who denounce an alleged "mega-fraud".

"The post-election violence in Mozambique shows that the security forces are determined to silence opposition voices instead of exercising restraint," said Budoo-Scholtz.

"Mozambique's regional and international partners must exert significant pressure to ensure that those responsible for these abuses are charged and that the government prevents future violations," she added.