Mozambique’s government has banned protests following ongoing post-election unrest that left several people dead and dozens more injured.
It follows last month’s disputed presidential elections, which were won by Frelimo, the party that has ruled Mozambique since 1975.
The weeks of protests have led to violent clashes with police and at least 18 people have been killed, according to Human Rights Watch.
Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda has urged Mozambicans to cooperate with authorities to stop the protests. He calls them “acts of terrorism”.
Demonstrations began in the capital Maputo late last month after Daniel Chapo, the Frelimo candidate, was officially declared the winner with more than 71% of the vote.
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South Africa closes the border crossing with Mozambique due to unrest in the polls
Opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, who came second with 20% of the vote, went into hiding before the results were announced.
He cited fears for his safety after his assistant and lawyer were killed as they prepared to challenge the results.
Last week, soldiers were deployed to help maintain order during Thursday’s post-election protests, the largest since the unrest began on October 9.
Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse thousands of protesters who set fires and barricaded roads in Maputo.
Ronda has said the protests are now “banned” due to their “seriousness”.
“I no longer call these protests acts of subversion and terrorism because they terrorize people and children. That woman selling bananas can no longer sell them. People can’t go to work; this is terror,” Ronda said.
The interior minister accused protest organizers of using “drugged” youth to “destabilize” the country, saying their plans would not succeed because “crime will be fought.”
Some rights groups estimate the death toll at more than 30 in total.
Authorities have restricted internet access across the country in what Human Rights Watch said was an attempt to “suppress peaceful protests and public criticism of the government.”
Opposition groups and observers argued that last month’s elections were unfair and rigged, a claim the government denies.
Current President Filipe Nyusi will step down after serving the two terms allowed by the constitution.
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