The Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), António Guterres, today condemned the murders in Mozambique of two supporters of presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, and called for a swift investigation into the events.
Guterres’ deputy spokesman, Farhan Haq, said in a statement that the UN secretary-general “strongly condemns” the deaths in Maputo of Elvino Dias, Venâncio Mondlane’s lawyer, and Paulo Guambe, the leader of the Optimistic People for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos), a party that supports the presidential candidate, who were shot dead on Friday night.
“The secretary-general expresses his deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and urges the authorities to swiftly investigate the killings and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he noted.
António Guterres also appeals to "all Mozambicans, including political leaders and their supporters, to remain calm, exercise restraint and reject all forms of violence before the official announcement of the results" of the elections held on the 9th.
In the statement released today, Guterres also reiterates "the solidarity of the United Nations with the people of Mozambique and reaffirms its unwavering support for peace and stability during this important phase in the country's history."
On Saturday, the Mozambican police confirmed to the Lusa news agency that the vehicle in which Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe were travelling was the target of an "ambush".
The crime took place at around 11:20 pm local time (one hour less in Lisbon) on Friday, on Avenida Joaquim Chissano, in the centre of the capital.
The general elections of October 9th included the seventh presidential elections - in which the current head of state, Filipe Nyusi, who has reached the limit of two terms, has no longer run - simultaneously with the seventh legislative elections and the fourth elections for provincial assemblies and governors.
The CNE has 15 days, after the polls close, to announce the official results of the elections, which is due on October 24th. The Constitutional Council will then be responsible for proclaiming the results, after it has also concluded its analysis of any appeals, but without a set deadline for this purpose.
The district and provincial election commissions have already completed the vote count for the general elections of October 9, which according to public announcements give an advantage to the Liberation Front of Mozambique (Frelimo, the ruling party) and the presidential candidate supported by the party, Daniel Chapo, with more than 60% of the votes, although presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane disputes these results, claiming that he has data from the original voting minutes and notices.
Venâncio Mondlane assured on Thursday that after the announcement of the results of the general elections he will appeal to the Constitutional Council, with the original voting minutes and notices.
The Portuguese Government, the European Union and the diplomatic representations in Maputo of the United States of America, Canada, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom condemned the double homicide, among calls for a full and swift investigation.
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