Gunmen Assasinate Mozambique Presidential Candidate’s Lawyer
In a shocking development in Mozambique, Elvino Dias, the lawyer for leading opposition presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, was gunned down in Maputo on Saturday. Dias, a key figure in Mondlane’s legal team during the fiercely contested October 9 elections, was killed alongside Paulo Guambe, a fellow candidate from the Podemos party, which supports Mondlane. The murders have sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Mozambique, heightening fears of political violence in the wake of a tense electoral process.
According to witnesses, the two men were shot while stationary in a car in the heart of the capital city. The attack, carried out by two gunmen, appeared to be a targeted assassination. Albino Forquilha, the head of the Podemos party, confirmed the deaths of Dias and Guambe, describing the incident as a brutal attack on the opposition’s efforts to challenge the dominance of the ruling Frelimo party. The national lawyers’ association of Mozambique also expressed its “deep shock” at Dias’s murder, reflecting the profound impact his death has had on the country’s legal and political communities.
The civil society observer group Mais Integridade condemned the killings as a “repugnant” and deliberate act of intimidation, aimed at undermining the democratic process. In a statement, the group emphasized that such violent acts create an atmosphere of fear, eroding confidence in the integrity of the electoral system and stifling opposition voices. The European Union quickly followed with a strong condemnation, calling for a full and transparent investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. The EU stated, “In a democracy, there is no place for politically motivated killings,” underscoring the global concern over the escalating violence in Mozambique.
The police confirmed that an investigation had begun but did not immediately release the names of the victims, despite widespread reports confirming their identities. This lack of immediate police acknowledgment has further fueled frustration and suspicion among opposition supporters and civil society groups, who worry that justice may not be swift or comprehensive in the politically charged environment.
The timing of the killings has raised further concerns as Mozambique awaits the official results of the October 9 elections, which are set to be announced on October 24. Venancio Mondlane, who ran a vigorous campaign against the Frelimo party, claimed victory shortly after polls closed, alleging widespread electoral fraud. The Frelimo party, which has ruled Mozambique since its independence 49 years ago, disputes Mondlane’s claims and has stated that it is leading in the preliminary ballot counts. Mondlane, in response, has called for mass demonstrations on Monday to protest the alleged irregularities and to demand transparency in the electoral process.
The political stakes in Mozambique have never been higher, as the killings of key opposition figures have escalated tensions between the ruling party and those pushing for change. Mondlane’s challenge to Frelimo has sparked hopes for a shift in Mozambique’s political future, but the violence surrounding the elections has cast a dark shadow over those aspirations. With public trust in the electoral process at a low point and opposition leaders facing unprecedented threats, the coming days could determine the course of Mozambique’s fragile democracy.
As the country awaits the official results, there is growing apprehension over what further violence may unfold. The international community, including the EU, has urged for calm and for the Mozambican authorities to ensure the safety of political figures and uphold the rule of law. The killings of Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe have placed Mozambique at a crossroads, where the outcome of the election and its aftermath could either reinforce democratic values or push the nation into a deeper crisis of political violence and instability.
