- The assassination of opposition members is a recurring practice of the regime in Mozambique.
- Since the beginning of the post-election crisis, at least 106 members of he main opposirion party, PODEMOS, have been murdered.
By Ricardo Dias
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – Dias Coutinho, a parliamentary deputy from the newly established PODEMOS party, abandoned his home six months ago and has been living in hiding in the city of Nampula, fearing for his life.
In an interview with MOZTIMES, Coutinho revealed that he has been away from home ever since he was announced as the lead candidate for Governor in Nampula province. According to him, threats and harassment began immediately after his candidacy was announced.
The harassment and murder of opposition figures are recurrent practices in Mozambique. When Renamo was the main opposition party, many of its members were mysteriously assassinated, even in public places. Since PODEMOS gained political prominence with its support for Venâncio Mondlane’s presidential bid, its members have been harassed and assassinated.
On 18 October, the Secretary-General of PODEMOS denounced during a press conference in Maputo that 106 party members had been assassinated in the past three months during protests contesting the election results.
Coutinho is one of the 43 MPs elected on the PODEMOS ticket who took office on 13 January for the 10th legislature of the country’s parliament, the Assembly of the Republic, elected during the general elections held on 9 October.
As an MP, Coutinho represents a sovereign body and informed Parliament about his insecurity but received no satisfactory response.
“So far, I can say that I sleep in a construction warehouse. I haven’t slept at home for a long time, and not even after taking office do I feel safe,” he stated.
According to the MP, his family also went into hiding but returned home due to the need to care for one of its members who suffers from a chronic illness.
Before being elected MP, Coutinho worked as a trainer at the Marrere Teacher Training Institute. However, he explained that his political affiliation caused him problems at the institution. “The staff are all Frelimo supporters, and they don’t tolerate such antics (being from the opposition),” he explained.
The assassination of opposition members, even MPs, is nothing new. MOZTIMES has reported at least eight shootings leading to deaths up until early January, particularly in the provinces of Zambezia, Nampula, and Cabo Delgado. (RD)
