In a tragic escalation of political violence in Mozambique, Elvino Dias, the lawyer representing Venancio Mondlane, the leading opposition candidate in the recent October 9 elections, was shot dead on Saturday in a brutal attack. Dias was killed alongside Paulo Guambe, a Podemos party candidate who was also supporting Mondlane.
The two men were targeted by gunmen while their vehicle was stationary on a road in the capital, Maputo. This shocking incident has sent ripples across Mozambique’s political landscape, raising concerns about the safety of political figures and the state of democracy in the country.
The attack has drawn swift condemnation from various quarters. Albino Forquilha, head of the Podemos party, confirmed the killings, while Mozambique’s national lawyers’ association expressed “deep shock” at the murder of Dias, emphasizing its severe implications for the rule of law and the legal profession. Civil society organization Mais Integridade called the killings “repugnant” and condemned them as an act of intimidation that undermines democratic processes in Mozambique.
The incident has only intensified the already tense political environment as the country awaits official election results, set to be published on October 24. Mondlane, who is challenging the long-dominant Frelimo party, has claimed victory while alleging electoral fraud, a charge that Frelimo denies. As tensions mount, Mondlane has called for demonstrations, further heightening the political stakes in a nation still grappling with its democratic future.
