A prison riot in Maputo, Mozambique’s capital, has left 33 people dead and 15 injured, according to Police General Commander Bernardino Rafael. The riot occurred when around 1,534 prisoners escaped, but 150 have since been recaptured. The unrest is linked to Mozambique’s disputed election in October, which saw the long-ruling Frelimo party stay in power. Opposition groups and their supporters claim the vote was rigged.
Rafael blamed protests outside the prison for encouraging the riot, but Justice Minister Helena Kida contradicted this, stating that the unrest started inside the prison and was not related to the protests outside. The identities of those killed and injured in the riot are unclear.
This is the latest in a series of violent incidents in Mozambique, which has been experiencing escalating civil unrest. At least 21 people were killed in unrest after the country’s top court confirmed Frelimo’s victory on Monday.
