Mozambique Police Chief Fired Amid Allegations of Brutality Following Disputed Election

Mozambique Police Chief Fired Amid Allegations of Brutality Following Disputed Election

Mozambique’s President, Daniel Chapo, has dismissed the country’s police chief, Bernardino Rafael, following serious allegations of police brutality during the October elections and its aftermath. Rafael has denied claims from prominent opposition figures accusing him of collaborating with criminal groups to kidnap and kill protesters in recent months.

President Chapo, who assumed office just last week, announced Rafael’s removal on Thursday, marking the first significant shake-up of his administration. This move comes at a time of increasing public discontent, as Chapo faces growing pressure to restore public trust and address the country’s economic challenges following months of unrest.

Mozambique is grappling with one of its most severe post-election crises since independence. After the controversial October elections, which saw widespread allegations of tampering, citizens took to the streets to protest the results. The ruling Frelimo party was declared the winner once again, extending its nearly 50-year rule.

Protests have led to significant violence, with civil society groups estimating that around 300 people have been killed since the elections. Former police chief Rafael claimed earlier this week that only 96 people died, including 17 police officers, stating that those killed had either attacked officers or were victims of stray bullets.

Mozambican police deploys in the streets of Maputo, Mozambique, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, during a nationwide shutdown protest following a disputed Oct. 9 election. (AP Photo/Carlos Uqueio)

Human rights organizations have reported troubling actions by the police. The Mozambique Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (CDD) accused agents from the elite National Criminal Investigation Service (Sernic) of infiltrating protest crowds disguised as civilians, later conducting house raids that resulted in arbitrary arrests and killings. These actions were described as turning residential neighborhoods into “war zones.” Sernic has not responded to these claims.

Further controversy surrounds the police force’s alleged involvement in the daylight killings of two political aides, Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe, who worked for opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane. Mondlane, who claims to be the true victor of the October election, has led protests against the government despite facing multiple assassination attempts.

Political analysts, including Mirna Chitsungo and Luís Nhanchote, had previously called for Rafael’s removal, citing his role in the violent crackdown during the protests. After seven years as the country’s police chief, Rafael has been replaced by Joaquim Sive, the former police chief of the Sofala and Nampula provinces. Sive himself had been suspended in 2019 following the deaths of at least 10 people during a Frelimo rally at the 25 de Junho Stadium in Nampula.

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