Chaos in Mozambique: Thousands escape amid election unrest
Six thousand prisoners have escaped from a maximum-security prison near Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. A rebellion broke out there on Christmas Day, as per the Associated Press, citing a statement made by the country's police chief on Thursday. The country is in chaos following the announcement of the presidential election results.
The Mozambican Ministry of Justice confirmed that at least six thousand prisoners escaped from a maximum-security prison near the capital city of Maputo. Most of them were convicted of murder.
Local media journalists claim that the prisoners took advantage of the holiday period and the reduced number of guards. Reuters reports that the prison riot in Maputo resulted in the death of 33 people, and several others were injured in the disturbances. The internet is flooded with videos showing prisoners, some still shackled, storming the gates of penitentiary facilities.
convicted terrorists at large
Police Chief Bernardino Rafael said that the escape from the prison, located 15 kilometres southwest of the capital, began around 12:00 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday following "agitation" by a protesting "subversive group" nearby.
Prisoners in the facility wrested weapons from the guards and began releasing other inmates. - They also released 29 convicted terrorists - stated Rafael. The protests led to the collapse of a wall, facilitating the escape.
Rafael called for the voluntary surrender of the escaped prisoners. He also urged the public to provide any information about the fugitives.
Chaos in Mozambique
The mass escape in Maputo occurred in connection with the intensifying protests following the Constitutional Court's confirmation that Daniel Chapoz of the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front won the presidential election. The opposition claims the voting was rigged. When the results were announced at the end of October, massive protests erupted, where at least 130 people were killed.
Social unrest has affected the operations of foreign companies, including the Australian mining company South32. Due to the riots, neighbouring South Africa temporarily closed its main border crossing with Mozambique.
Source: PAP, Reuters, X, WP Wiadomości
