[By Abigail Philip David]
Elvino Dias, the lawyer representing Venancio Mondlane, a prominent opposition candidate in Mozambique’s October 9 presidential election, was assassinated in Maputo on Saturday. Dias was killed alongside Paulo Guambe, a candidate from the Podemos party, which supports Mondlane.
Eyewitnesses reported that two gunmen opened fire on their vehicle while it was stationary in the city center. The head of the Podemos party, Albino Forquilha, confirmed the deaths, while the national lawyers’ association expressed deep shock at Dias’s assassination.
Civil society group Mais Integridade condemned the killings as “repugnant,” calling them an act of intimidation that undermines the country’s democracy.
The police have launched an investigation but have not officially confirmed the identities of the victims. Meanwhile, the European Union issued a statement strongly condemning the murders and urged a full, transparent investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice, emphasizing that politically motivated killings have no place in a democracy.
Mozambique is still awaiting the official nationwide election results, set to be announced on October 24. Mondlane, who has challenged the ruling Frelimo party that has governed since the country’s independence, claimed victory immediately after election day. However, he has accused Frelimo of electoral fraud and has called for demonstrations on Monday.
