March organiser tells of torture ordeal at hands of Mozambique’s police

Mozambique’s police fail to implement, and apparently to understand, their role in Mozambican society

Good afternoon. The police have given their explanation of why they violently blocked demonstrations from going ahead at the weekend, giving the extraordinary reason that, among other things, political activists were among those taking part. You don’t say!

They also allege that would-be marchers insulted and in some cases attacked police, things for which no evidence has emerged in all the footage taken of the weekend’s events. What there is evidence for, however, is of serious abuses by the police — something the police, in Nampula at least, simply denies. See our story today, which is FREE TO READ.

Almost amusingly, the police also took it upon themselves to pronounce on the politics behind people’s decision to demonstrate — complaining that demonstrations that took place last year, over the cost of living, failed to take into account exogenous economic factors.

All in all, it seems the police force has completely failed to grasp what its role is in Mozambican society. If people want to march, that’s up to them; the police are there to ensure they can do so peacefully and safely. But it seems the biggest threat to law and order in Mozambique is the police itself.

---

Agenda:

• Tomorrow: MSF Roundtable “two years after Palma attacks in Cabo Delgado”. Registration through this link

---

The latest from Zitamar News:

March organiser tells of torture ordeal at hands of Mozambique’s police
Shocking images tell of police violence against young Mozambican social activists, while police claim they had to act to maintain order on 18 March

Cabo Ligado Weekly: 13-19 March 2023

• Insurgents concentrate ‘hearts and minds’ strategy on Cabo Delgado coast

• Coordination between Mozambican and Rwandan security forces still lacking

• ExxonMobil looks to restart LNG project

Also available in Portuguese

---

Also in the news:

• Compulsory military service to take five years

• Government approves package for former Renamo guerillas 

• Prison guards want to continue selling alcohol to inmates 

• Cabo Delgado and Niassa still lack voter registration material 

• Children's book portrays insurgency in Cabo Delgado

Today’s front pages in Maputo. Photo © Faizal Chauque / Zitamar News