The Ministry of Defense assured this afternoon that if the riots prevail and show signs of altering the constitutional order, the defense forces will be activated to restore order, highlighting signs of violence from some demonstrations that have been taking place in the country in protest at the election results.

At a press conference, Cristovão Chume showed videos of Mozambicans circulating on the internet preparing homemade bombs, with clear instructions for their use in demonstrations, signaling that there are preparatory acts to change power by illegal means.

For Chume, what we are witnessing are preparatory acts for the change of power by illegal means and in this context, although the police forces are on the ground, the Armed Defense Forces of Mozambique - FADM - are also supporting the police, clearing the roads with barricades and providing primary medical care to the injured in the demonstration.

"If the violence continues to escalate, there is no alternative but to change the positions of the forces on the ground and put the Armed Forces in charge of protecting the state's interests. The FADM is ready to intervene and protect the interests of the state as well as defend national sovereignty," emphasized Cristóvão Chume.

At the time, the Minister of Defense said that at the moment the military were only on the ground to support the other security forces and the population.

The Minister of National Defense reiterates the non-partisan nature of the Mozambican army and dismisses the possibility of Rwandan troops getting involved in what the source considers to be "our affair".

Later, the defense minister lamented the deaths of civilians and police and the wave of violence in the demonstrations, deploring the participation of children in the protests.

Since October 21, Mozambique has been experiencing demonstrations all over the country against the results of the general elections announced by the National Electoral Commission (CNE).

The presidential candidate supported by PODEMOS, Venâncio Mondlane, has called for a general strike and demonstrations for a week in Mozambique, between October 31 and November 7, when he expects a mega-concentration in the capital to demonstrate against the announced results of the October 9 general elections.

Venâncio Mondlane called this the third stage of the protest against the results announced by the CNE. This phase follows the protests held on October 21, 24 and 25, following the double murder of two supporters, lawyer Elvino Dias and teacher Paulo Guambe, shot dead in an ambush in Maputo on the night of October 18.

On October 24, the CNE announced the presidential victory of Daniel Chapo, supported by Frelimo, with 70.67% of the votes. Venâncio Mondlane would have come second, with 20.32%.

However, Venâncio Mondlane does not recognize these results, which still have to be validated and proclaimed by the Constitutional Council.

In third place in the presidential election, according to the CNE, was Ossufo Momade, president of Renamo, with 5.81%, followed by Lutero Simango, president of the MDM, with 3.21%. Ossufo Momade also said that he does not recognize the election results announced and called for the vote to be annulled. Lutero Simango also rejected the results as "forged in the secretariat" and promised "political and legal action" to restore the "will of the people".

(Photo DR)