A violent riot has erupted in a prison in Mozambique, a country in southeastern Africa, leaving 33 people dead and 15 others injured. Additionally, more than 1,500 inmates have escaped during the chaos. According to separate reports from Reuters and the BBC on Thursday (December 26), Mozambique’s police chief Bernardino Rafael confirmed on Wednesday that the riot took place in a prison in the capital city, Maputo. The unrest is reportedly linked to political instability that has persisted since a controversial election in October.
Following the election, the long-ruling party FRELIMO was declared the winner by the country’s top court, sparking fresh protests nationwide by opposition parties and their supporters, who claim the election was rigged.
Police stated that taking advantage of the ongoing political unrest, over 1,500 inmates escaped from the prison. Police chief Bernardino Rafael revealed in a press conference that 33 people died, and 15 were injured during clashes with the guards.
He also mentioned that about 150 of the escaped prisoners have since been recaptured.
The BBC reports that FRELIMO, in power since 1975, was declared the winner of the presidential election held last October. The court’s decision, reaffirming the victory of FRELIMO’s candidate, Daniel Chapo, on Monday, reignited protests in the country.
Rafael stated that government opposition protesters reached the vicinity of the prison in Maputo on Wednesday. Amid the unrest, inmates broke down a wall and escaped.
Mozambique has been gripped by instability since the disputed election last October. Official results showed FRELIMO’s candidate, Daniel Chapo, as the winner for the presidency.
However, fresh protests began on Monday after the constitutional court confirmed Chapo’s victory. Over the past three months of protests following the election, nearly 150 people have been killed in the southern African nation, according to the BBC.