In Mozambique, rappers denounce the repression of post-electoral protests

In Mozambique rappers denounce the repression of post electoral protests

In Mozambique, new demonstrations denouncing the results of the general elections of October 9, 2024 took place there on November 27, leading in particular to the death of a woman, mowed down by a police vehicle. On social networks, Mozambican artists, rappers in particular, denounce the repression carried out for several weeks by the authorities.

2 mins

With our regional correspondent, Gaëlle Laleix

At Mozambiquethe electoral dispute continues. Venancio Mondlane, unsuccessful presidential candidate on October 9, 2024, called for three new days of protest against electoral fraud on November 26.

This November 27, in Maputo, the mobilization turned into chaos, after an armored police vehicle knocked down a demonstrator.

On social networks, protest is also intensifying, particularly from Mozambican artists.

For the rapper Nikotina KF, for example, the Mozambican government respects its own Constitution so little that he felt the obligation to put article 51 into song. “ All citizens have the freedom of assembly and demonstrationhe recalls. As artists, we must be a means of communication between politicians and the population. I tried to use my art to talk about our freedoms and their limits. We do not live in a country where freedom of expression is respected “.

Again on Wednesday, in Maputo, the police used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the demonstrators.

For G-Elsy, rapper and videographer, social networks have become the only space of freedom: “ This situation revolts us. The more time passes, the more our regime moves away from democracy. The citizen is killed when he tries to express himself. The journalist is murdered when he tries to provide accurate information. And as an artist, I felt duty-bound to do something. Social media has a lot of power. »

A song by Mozambican rapper G-Elsy, titled “Venâncio Presidente”, in reference to the opposition candidate, Venâncio Mondlane, who contests the presidential victory of the candidate of the party in power since 1975, Frelimo

According to several Mozambican civil society organizations, the repression of the protest has already caused 67 victims.

In a joint statement released Wednesday, the diplomatic representations of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Norway and Switzerland condemn the escalation of violence against civilians in Mozambique during the post- electoral. They call on the government to respect the role of security forces and investigate reports of excessive use of force.

Also readIn Mozambique, a blunder by security forces causes chaos in the capital

rf-5-general