KEY POINTS
- Human rights group alleges Zimbabwe’s interference in Mozambique’s elections.
- Videos reportedly show Zimbabweans voting in Mozambique, supporting ruling party Frelimo.
- Over 50 people killed in post-election unrest amid claims of election fraud.
A regional human rights organization has accused Zimbabwe’s ruling party, ZANU PF, and President Emmerson Mnangagwa of meddling in Mozambique’s recent elections.
According to Talent Rusere, High Commissioner for the Southern Africa Human Rights Lawyers, there is evidence suggesting Zimbabwe’s involvement contributed to post-election turmoil, which has seen more than 50 deaths.
Allegations of electoral interference
Mozambique’s National Electoral Commission declared Frelimo’s Daniel Chapo the winner, leading to allegations of electoral fraud by the opposition party PODEMOS, headed by Venacio Mondlane.
Rusere stated that his organization’s investigation has uncovered evidence of Zimbabwean nationals crossing into Mozambique to vote in the election.
However, videos circulating online reportedly show Zimbabweans casting ballots and claiming to support Frelimo, Mozambique’s ruling party.
According to New Zimbabwe, Rusere also noted, “This is not the first instance of Zimbabwean interference in neighboring elections. Video evidence shows Zimbabwean voters received identification cards allowing them to participate in Mozambique’s electoral process.”
International response to election unrest
However, after Chapo’s win, the people of Mozambique went back to the streets to protest the result with criticism of the outcome.
Mnangagwa, and Zimbabwe’s ruling party were said to have developed diarrhea over Frelimo’s victory and intensified tensions. Moreover, Rusere added that Zimbabwe is percieved to exert pressure with a ulterior motive of ensuring that Frelimo maintains its political dominance of Mozambique hence the creation of more problems in the region.
Mozambican authorities and the human rights organizations are watching these development closely. With the deepening of the crisis, demands for international neutral monitors are rising.
Furthermore, Rusere’s organisation intends to pursue these interference allegations, and push for steps to avoid such occurrences in the future elections in the region.
