The Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) are totally unprepared to deal with peaceful demonstrations, according to the Mozambican Bar Association.

In a statement to which we have had access, the lawyers say that from the first day of the demonstrations, the police have used "real bullets" and tear gas bombs to fire directly at people, resulting in deaths and injuries. They note that "the demonstrators are unarmed citizens".

In this sense, the class believes that the police are acting disproportionately to their constitutional mandate to collaborate with other state institutions to ensure public tranquillity.

"Contrary to this command, the police of the Republic of Mozambique have been fanning the flames of conflict through unjustified violence and brutality, which they subject to demonstrators without understanding the real motivation for doing so," it reads.

But they also call on the demonstrators to adopt attitudes that do not incite acts of vandalism and looting.

"Furthermore, when the President of the Republic, as the guarantor of the Constitution and of respect for and protection of human rights, continues in a materially complicit silence, the country finds itself in deep suspense, as we move towards November 7, announced as the day to verify the highest point of the waves of demonstrations, largely caused by non-credible elections, we call on the Police of the Republic of Mozambique to act responsibly, acting to protect the exercise of a fundamental right and not to cause bloodshed," they appeal.