WeeklySA_AdminULTIMATUM: The country’s opposition leader has warned they will intensify the protests if proposed measures are not implemented “before 100 days are up”…
By Own Correspondent
Former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane today demanded the implementation of 25 measures from the country’s authorities over the next three months, threatening to call for a resumption of demonstrations and street protests by his supporters “more intensely” if this does not happen.
“If these measures are not implemented – if these measures are not complied with – at any moment before the hundred days are up, we will resume street demonstrations and in a much more intense way,” declared Mondlane (48) in a Facebook live on his official account.
Among the measures for the first 100 days of the new government led by Daniel Chapo, who was proclaimed the victor of the 9 october presidential election, Mondlane demanded an end to what he called “violence against the population” and a “silent genocide” – accusing the country’s Defence and Security Forces of kidnapping and murdering people and burying them in “mass graves” because they were considered to be members of the opposition, as his supporters.
Mondlane stood for president in the general elections of 9 October, in which Chapo was declared the winner. He was sworn in as head of state on 15 January, but opposition politician have not recognised the result.
Mondlane is demanding the “unconditional” release of the more than 4,000 people arrested during the post-election demonstrations in the country, as well as medical treatment and medication for those injured in these protests and the payment of compensation of at least 200,000 meticais (€3,000) to the families of those killed during the protests.
Another measure he has demanded is the extension of the non-payment of road tolls for another 100 days. “And the tolls that are on bumpy roads and in poor condition must be removed and we will only pay again when the roads are rehabilitated,” he said.
“Put an end once and for all to illicit charges in the civil service,” he added, also demanding the lifting of value-added tax on basic products.
Mondlane also called for a 50% reduction in electricity tariffs and the suspension of logging for export, and also demanded that the new government provide a funding line of $500 million (e485.5 million) to support small and medium-sized enterprises affected during the demonstrations held to contest the election results.
Since 21 October, when the protests against the official election results began, the non-governmental organisation Plataforma Eleitoral Decide has recorded 314 people killed, 633 shot and wounded, and at least 4 228 detained.
On 23 December, Chapo was proclaimed by the Constitutional Council (CC) the winner of the election for president, with 65.17% of the votes. The governing part Frelimo, which backed Chapo, also won the legislative and provincial assembly elections that took place on the same day.
Chapo’s election has been contested on the streets since October, with supporters of Mondlane – who according to the CC only obtained 24% of the votes, but who claims victory – demanding the “restoration of the electoral truth” and setting up barricades, looting and clashing with police. – Lusa/Club of Mozambique
