A violent prison riot in Maputo, Mozambique, has claimed 33 lives and left 15 injured, police confirmed Wednesday, as the country grapples with ongoing civil unrest following contested election results in October.
Mass Escape Amid Chaos
More than 1,500 inmates escaped during the riot, with only 150 recaptured so far, raising concerns about an impending surge in crime. Police General Commander Bernardino Rafael warned of a potential crime wave within the next 48 hours.
Conflicting Accounts of the Riot’s Cause
While Rafael attributed the riot to external protests linked to the disputed elections, Justice Minister Helena Kida refuted the claim, stating the violence originated inside the prison and was unrelated to demonstrations outside.
“The confrontations resulted in 33 deaths and 15 injuries near the prison,” Rafael said during a press briefing. The identities of the casualties have not yet been disclosed.
Nationwide Unrest Escalates
The riot coincided with protests triggered by Mozambique’s Constitutional Council’s Monday ruling to uphold Frelimo’s election victory. Opposition groups allege widespread vote-rigging, sparking deadly clashes across the country.
At least 21 fatalities were reported on Tuesday alone, according to the Interior Ministry, adding to the 130 deaths recorded by civil society group Plataforma Decide since the unrest began.
Rising Tensions Across Prisons
Authorities revealed attempts at prison breaks in two other facilities, further straining the nation’s security apparatus.
“This is a matter of grave concern for all Mozambicans and our security forces,” Rafael added.
As the country reels from both the political crisis and the security fallout, calls for accountability and dialogue continue to grow.
