Some streets in Mozambique were again littered with burning tyres today as unrest in the politically unstable country continues, with a lunchtime shooting adding fuel to the fire.

Zitamar News – a news agency in the troubled African country – confirmed to Caxton Local Media that at least one person was injured during a shooting as a motorcade passed through Maputo earlier today. The former presidential candidate of the Optimistic Party for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos), Venâncio Mondlane, was – as has become custom – rallying supporters while on the back of a bakkie.

A Facebook Live video on Mondlane’s page, lasting over an hour, shows thousands of supporters following him through the streets. At the one-hour and 15-minute mark, shots ring out, and the crowd scatters.

“I can confirm the shooting. At least one person injured. Not many details available. [The] march was moving from youth square at Hulene towards Combatants square in Xiquelene. Mondlane was urging people to protest against an agreement being signed today between [President Daniel] Chapo and opposition parties,” Zitamar News explains.

Club of Mozambique reports that Abdul Nariz, from the former presidential candidate’s communications team, told another local news agency, Lusa: “We were surprised when a heavily armed police group started shooting directly at the vehicle where Venâncio Mondlane was. They used tear gas, some explosives, real bullets and we had to flee because the situation was not pleasant.”

The shooting reportedly occurred at around 13:00.

The publication states that Nariz claims the Mozambican police fired shots and provided no further details.

The comment section of the video had people stating that ‘they tried to kill the people’s president’, and ‘let’s declare a war’, among other comments made in Portuguese.

Who fired the shots and how the person was injured remains unclear.

Another video posted on Facebook, by Mozambique content creator and photographer Strip Pedrito, shows tyres being burnt in a street. The exact location is unconfirmed, but presumed to be in Maputo.

What has happened thus far

Protests erupted shortly after the election results were announced in late October. After the declaration that Frelimo Party candidate Chapo had secured over 70% of the votes, Mondlane immediately called for action.

Key events

• After leaving Mozambique, Mondlane announced that he would return to the country on January 9. He urged his supporters to welcome him at the airport and said he would announce a ‘spearhead’ phase of protest action.
• Less than two hours after Mondlane landed at Maputo International Airport, armed forces opened fire and used teargas to disperse the crowds that gathered to support him.
• Only a handful of foreign dignitaries – including President Cyril Ramaphosa – gathered in Maputo on January 15 as Frelimo cemented its half-century of rule in Mozambique following months of deadly protests.
• Mondlane, who considered himself sworn in as president when he arrived back in the country, said in comparison to his swearing-in, which was open and celebrated by the people, Chapo’s was marked by militarisation and fear.

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