Maputo, 22 Oct (AIM) – Mozambique’s independent presidential candidate, Venancio Mondlane, has called for another “national general strike” to take place on 24 and 25 October.
Addressing the public on Tuesday, through his Facebook account, Mondlane said the general strike would be directed against the kidnappings that have been plaguing the country’s cities since 2011, affecting mostly business people and members of their families, particularly those of Asian origin.
Mondlane added that the strike will also be a response to what he regards as “fraudulent results of the general elections held on 9 October” and which the National Elections Commission (CNE) intends to announce on Thursday.
Mondlane, whose current whereabouts are unknown, explained that the strike is also part of a continuous protest against the murder of his lawyer, Elvino Dias, and Paulo Guambe, an election agent of the Podemos party, which supported his presidential bid.
“This fight is ours, it belongs to all Mozambicans”, he said. “It is not just a Podemos fight, therefore I call on members of Renamo and of the MDM (Mozambique Democratic Movement) to stand with us. I call on other opposition political parties to stand up in order to bring revolution, if your goal is to change the future of this country. The cause is national, let’s forget our disagreements and our pride. This is time to bring the arrogance of the ruling Frelimo party to an end”.
Mondlane also called on the CNE not to announce the “fraudulent results” because the country will protest against the “crime and injustice.”
He wanted to bring most of the country to a standstill. “We will only allow health units and pharmacies to work, as well as firefighters”, he said. “We call on health services to work. The Police may also work but not to fight against the people or launch tear gas against innocent people”.
“This is the second phase of the strike. This time it’s going to be different, it is against kidnappings and police violence against protesters. If we unite, we will end kidnapping in the country”, he added.
Mondlane called on business people, the main victims of kidnappings, to join the strike in order to ensure security in the country.
“We must act to bring justice. The northern province of Cabo Delgado is already at war. We can’t continue watching our country fall, because this country is ours”, he said.
The first general strike was on Monday. Mondlane declared that it was a huge success, shutting down 95 per cent of the country – but it is not at all clear how he obtained that figure.
The strike certainly had a major effect on transport, since many transport operators kept their vehicles off the roads, for fear that they might come under attack. Without transport, workers and pupils could not reach companies and schools, even if they were still open.
Although Mondlane stressed that he wanted peaceful demonstrations, the protests in Maputo degenerated into battles with the police, which went on for most of the afternoon.
So far, the authorities have not reacted to the call for more strikes.
(AIM)
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