Prominent Mozambique opposition lawyer Elvino Dias was shot dead in the capital city of Maputo.
Dias, who was representing Venâncio Mondlane, the presidential candidate for the opposition party Podemos, was attacked alongside fellow party official Paulo Guambe.
The attack occurred just 10 days after Mozambique held elections.
The killings took place when gunmen opened fire on their vehicle, with a local rights group, the Center for Democracy and Human Rights, describing the attack as a “cold-blooded murder.” According to CDD’s director, Adriano Nuvunga, “Around 10 to 15 bullets were fired, and they died instantly.”
Another election watchdog group, Mais Integridade, believes the murders were aimed at intimidating those calling for transparency in the election process. Witnesses reported that Guambe was alive after the attack but succumbed to his injuries hours later. They also accused the police of blocking an ambulance from evacuating him and preventing people from recording the incident.
Police have denied any misconduct. “We condemn the heinous crime and assure that we are taking all measures to clarify the case,” police spokesman Lionel Muchina said.
The European Union, which has been observing the election process in Mozambique, called the killings an “outrageous crime” and urged the government to launch an independent investigation. There have been reports of violence and intimidation following last week’s election, raising concerns about the election’s credibility.
Tributes have poured in for Dias, who was praised as a brave and skilled lawyer. Zenaido Machado from Human Rights Watch said, “Elvino was a good, peaceful man. Last year, he won several election court cases, and he was preparing to do the same this year.”
Meanwhile, votes from the election are still being counted. Podemos candidate Venâncio Mondlane claims he has won the election and disputes claims from the ruling Frelimo party that they are leading. He has called for a nationwide strike on Monday.
Mozambique has been ruled by the Frelimo party since its independence in 1975. The country is set to have a new president as current President Filipe Nyusi is stepping down after serving two terms. The Frelimo candidate, Daniel Chapo, faces opposition from Mondlane, Ossufo Momade of Renamo, and Lutero Simango from the Mozambique Democratic Movement.
