Maputo, 15 Nov (AIM) – The Mozambican chapter of the regional press freedom body MISA (Media Institute of Southern Africa) has condemned a campaign of disinformation, which suggests that there is a plot against the life of Lucia Ribeiro, the chairperson of the Constitutional Council.
The Council is Mozambique’s highest body in matters of constitutional and electoral law, and the results of the general elections held on 9 October are not definitive until the Council has validated them.
Unsourced reports are appearing on Mozambican social media claiming that Ribeiro’s life is in danger. It is said that she will be murdered in the next 24 hours as a reprisal for her alleged attempt “to abandon ship” (i.e. to give up attempts to validate the results granting victory to the ruling Frelimo Party).
Ribeiro has allegedly reached the conclusion that the only ways out are either to recount the votes or annual the 9 October elections. So a death squad, formed of inmates from Maputo’s top security prison, has been formed to liquidate Ribeiro.
Not a shred of evidence is offered for this story. And while annulling the elections, or ordering a recount, are both possibilities, neither has ever happened before, and so they must be regarded as rather remote possibilities.
Misacheck, the fact checking branch of MISA “strongly condemns this campaign of disinformation and the hate speech that accompanies it”.
“The spread of groundless information which promotes threats of violence is not only irresponsible”, says MISA, “but it is also a serious attack against the rule of law”.
There is no evidence for any of the allegations concerning Lucia Ribeiro, MISA adds. It urges citizens “to be vigilant in sharing information on social media. Spreading disinformation not only compromises peace and social cohesion, but also feeds political instability in what is a critical moment for the country”.
(AIM)
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