Daniel Chapo Attempts to Clarify Bellicose Rhetoric on Protests

- President claims his words were manipulated and taken out of context

By Noémia Mendes

Maputo (MOZTIMES) – Mozambican President Daniel Chapo has attempted to clarify his recent bellicose rhetoric against individuals involved in protests over the cost of living. On Monday, during a public rally in the northern city of Pemba, Chapo declared that he was willing to "shed blood to defend the country against protests."

However, speaking to journalists on Tuesday, he insisted that his words had been manipulated and taken out of context.

"I watched all your reports—they are very well done—but there are situations where some people take certain words out of context to manipulate public opinion," Chapo said in Pemba at the end of a meeting of the Council of Ministers held in the city.

After claiming his speech had been misinterpreted, Chapo shifted his approach and called for an end to the protests. "We appeal to people to stop engaging in violent, illegal, and criminal demonstrations and to start living normally in society," he said.

The President reiterated that the protests "are criminal, violent, and illegal, and not supported by our Constitution."

The recent protests in Mozambique have often been characterised by violence, destruction of public and private property, roadblocks, arson attacks on public buildings and offices of the ruling Frelimo party, as well as the looting of shops.

The police have typically responded with excessive force, frequently firing live ammunition resulting in deaths and injuries. According to civil society organisations, more than 300 people have been killed in clashes with police since the protests began last October.

Protests intensified after former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, who received strong popular support, called for a reduction in the prices of basic commodities.

Daniel Chapo has increasingly adopted a hardline stance against protests, even equating them with the jihadist terrorism that has plagued Cabo Delgado province.

On at least four occasions, Chapo has likened mass unrest to terrorist activities in the region. The first instance was during the swearing-in of the Deputy General Commander of the Police, where he listed terrorism, the peasant militia known as the Naparamas, and the mass protests as primary security threats, instructing the police to combat them.

The President repeated similar statements during a recent meeting with diplomats in Maputo and in Mocuba, Zambézia, at last week's opening of the military operational year, instructing military leaders to confront the protests. His remarks in Pemba marked the fourth occasion Chapo has equated mass protest with terrorism. (NM)

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Business Leaders Demand Public Safety Guarantees for Economic Recovery from Post-Election Crisis

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