The Embassy of the United States of America, the British High Commission, the Canadian High Commission, the Norwegian Embassy and the Swiss Embassy issued a statement calling for restraint and respect for the rule of law and human life in the face of the situation in Mozambique.

"At this critical moment, we call on all those involved to show restraint, respecting the rule of law and human life," begins a "joint statement" from the diplomatic representations in Maputo, published on Tuesday (05) on the Facebook page of the US Embassy.

Quoted by VOA, the note adds that those governments reiterate "our support for the Mozambican people in the exercise of their rights, in accordance with the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to peaceful assembly and association, freedom of opinion and expression, and the right to information".

In reference to the current electoral process, they say they share "the expectation that the Constitutional Council will complete the final stages of the electoral process in a transparent manner and in accordance with its mandate".

This comes at a time when protests called by presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane against what he calls electoral fraud are taking place, but have been repressed by the police.

Mozambique has been under tension since the general elections of October 9.

The demonstrations and consequent clashes between police and demonstrators escalated after the National Electoral Commission announced the results on October 24, which gave victory to the candidate of the ruling Frelimo party, with 70% of the votes, followed by the candidate supported by the PODEMOS party, Venâncio Mondlane.

Mondlane, who disputes the results, has been calling for demonstrations and general stoppages ever since.

On social media, Venâncio Mondlane announced that he would be joining the demonstration he has called for November 7.