Key Points:
- Deadly protests following the October general election continued after Mozambique’s top court in December confirmed the ruling party candidate’s victory. Hundreds have died and thousands have been injured in post-election violence.
- The United Methodist Church continues to hold services and pray for peace. Some church business has been disrupted.
- United Methodists are encouraged to refrain from involvement in violent protests and to assist and protect children, older adults and other vulnerable people.
United Methodists in Mozambique are asking for prayers and encouraging lawmakers to seek peace as civil unrest in the country continues following general elections in October.
On Dec. 23, the top court in Mozambique confirmed the victory of the ruling party Frelimo’s candidate, Daniel Chapo, in the presidential election, which sparked protests from opposition groups who claim the vote was rigged. International election observers, including those from the United States, cited significant irregularities in the vote counting process as well as a lack of transparency throughout the election period.
Nearly 350 people, including escaped inmates from a maximum-security prison in Maputo, have died and more than 2,000 people have been wounded by police bullets during riots.
Protesters looted and damaged private and public buildings, blocked roads and bridges and threatened to cut off power and gas supplies. The closure of ground borders in Maputo, Beira and Nampula resulted in a scarcity of basic commodities.
“We are praying and hope the current social and political unrest will not lead to a catastrophic stage,’’ said Ezequiel Nhantumbo, a member of Escrivao Zunguze United Methodist Church on the outskirts of Maputo.
Founded in 1962, Frelimo began as a nationalist movement fighting for the self-determination and independence of Mozambique. Located in southern Africa, Mozambique was a colony of Portugal from 1498 to 1975. However, political independence was brief. In 1977, sparks of political unrest began. The country has about 35 million people, most younger than age 40.
“Here in Gaza province, things are not good,” said Laura Wetimane, who oversees three districts: Gaza South, Center and East. “We are grateful to God because, as I spoke to all pastors in local churches, they reported that church services are taking place normally.”
The Rev. Ana Rofina Daniel, who serves Chonguene United Methodist Church, said Chibuto is one of the most affected villages in Gaza province.
“Protesters burnt many infrastructures here — the notary and registry office, the house of the police commander, the district electoral committee office, the department of education,” she said.
Protesters also have targeted Frelimo offices and police stations, barricading the main road that connects the country north and south.
“I had to fly from Cabo Delgado to Maputo a day earlier to my scheduled flight because I heard roads would be closed,” said Arlindo Jossias Sambo, a United Methodist who works in Ninga, Cabo Delgado. Had he not left early, Sambo said, he would be stranded.
The Rev. Jacob Jenhuro, North Conference administrative assistant to the bishop, said they were fortunate to have held their annual conference before the mobility restrictions started.
“Here in Beira,” Jenhuro said, “things are calm. Fortunately, our Sunday worship services were not affected. But this situation is not the same in the villages such as Buzi (and) Caia.”
In the Inhambane province, protests continue, said the Rev. Filimão Punguane Vilanculo, director of finance and administration. “Hot sparks of protests are visible in Maxixe, Lindela, Cumbane, Inharrime, Jangamo and other parts of the province,” he said.
In response, the church is holding services and praying for peace and peacebuilding. The church is encouraging church members to refrain from involvement in violent protests and to assist and protect children, older adults and other vulnerable people. United Methodists also are urging the head of state to find ways to converse with opposition leaders to establish a peaceful environment in the country.
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“We have come a long way seeking for peace, stability and respect for human rights since we attained national independence in 1975, but now it is a complete chaos,” said Ezequiel Marcos Nhantumbo, Mozambique Initiative coordinator.
The initiative, a partnership between the Mozambique Episcopal Area and U.S. Missouri Conference, has contributed to church and community growth in Mozambique for more than 30 years. Several programs of the initiative are in jeopardy, said Nhantumbo, noting that safe water wells await completion because raw materials cannot be transported from suppliers within and outside the country.
“Our country has survived wars of resistance, of liberation, a civil war, armed instability, terrorism in Cabo Delgado province,” Nhantumbo added. “Now seven presidential democratic elections have been characterized as not free, not transparent and full of injustices, and all of this led us to a chaotic stage.
“This situation will potentially affect all our ministry programs (and) services and all church activities.”
Mozambique Area Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nhanala said the safety of church members is the top priority.
“We need to preserve the safety and integrity of our delegates, church members and people,” said Nhanala, in a virtual emergency meeting with the cabinet last month.
The Mozambique South Annual Conference was held Dec. 19-22 in Chicuque, once the protests eased a bit after two postponements.
“The Constitutional Council verdict of Dec. 23 has fueled deadly protests countrywide,” said Rev. Uinge Guirruta, director of connectional ministry in the Mozambique South Conference.
“Just two days after the confirmation of the electoral results … more than 1,500 inmates escaped from the maximum-security prison in Maputo,” said Guirruta. “More than 30 of these inmates were shot dead, and this infuriated more the protesters in the country,” he said.
The cities of Maputo, Matola and their outskirts are no longer safe havens, he added.
“We spent the night patrolling our neighborhoods,” Guirruta said. “In some areas, inmates who escaped from the prison were causing trouble and insecurity, and people decided to defend themselves by forming group vigils to make sure our homes and families were safe.”
He said opposition leader Venancio Mondlane has given a “grace period” in which protesters have calmed down and are waiting to hear from him when he will convene what he called “Fase Ponta de Lança” or the “Spearhead Phase” of protests.
The United Methodist Church in Mozambique continues to hold daily devotions and encourage church members to promote peace and avoid protests.
Sambo is Africa Lusophone correspondent for UM News.
News media contact: Julie Dwyer, [email protected]. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digest.
