Maputo, 16 Apr (AIM) – The Mozambican Bar Association (OAM) has called for a deep investigation into the attempted murder of activist and musician Joel Amaral, better known by his stage name MC Trufafa, last Sunday, in the central city of Quelimane, and for exemplary punishment of those involved.
Amaral was the head of mobilization for former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, who was responsible for calling mass demonstrations in order to protest against the allegedly fraudulent results of the general elections held on 9 October.
Amaral was shot twice, in the arm and in the head. Doctors at Quelimane Central Hospital say that Amaral is out of danger, but he remains in the intensive care unit. The police say they still do not know who attempted to murder the musician.
“More than condemning this frustrated murder, not least because similar examples abound in our society, we should seek to clarify the motivations, discover the moral and material authors and, in this endeavour, set an example of punishment. Even before ideologies, we are human and must preserve this condition. It is repugnant to think of murdering a fellow human being just because he or she thinks differently”, reads the OAM statement.
According to the OAM, the murder attempt was aimed at sacrificing individual and collective freedoms and rights, as well as creating an environment of “violence, intolerance and oppression”.
Quelimane has been at a virtual standstill since the attempted murder. Venancio Mondlane called for three days of marches in solidarity with Joel Amaral. Many thousands of people have attended the marches which enjoyed the full support of Quelimane Municipal Council, and of the city’s mayor, Manuel de Araujo.
In an open letter to the citizens of Quelimane, published in the local electronic daily “Txopela”, Araujo, who is attending a conference in Seoul, praised them for their courage. “Despite the distance, I have felt the warmth of your marches”, the Mayor said. “I heard each one of your voices, hoarse with shouting, but declaring ‘we’ve had enough!’ Enough of absolute poverty, while they live in mansions and drive luxury cars!”
Doubtless the “they” mentioned by Araujo referred to the ruling Frelimo Party, although he was not specific.
“I have heard your cry”, he continued. “And we shall not stop while the regime does not confess its sins”.
He added that, instead of holding peaceful marches, “we could have ordered the destruction of property, of houses, of cars, and of Frelimo offices”. Had that decision been taken “in less than 30 minutes not a single Frelimo office would have remained standing in Quelimane. There wouldn’t have been a single house of a Frelimo member left standing”.
“But that wasn’t our decision”, Araujo continued. “We decided to march peacefully, to show that we reject your way of behaving”.
“We love peace, but we are not afraid of violence or war”, added the Mayor.
(AIM)
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