Mozambique’s police chief announced that at least 6,000 prisoners escaped from a high-security prison in the country’s capital on Christmas Day following a rebellion, at a time when the country is still witnessing widespread riots and violence after the elections.
Police Chief Bernardino Rafael added that 33 prisoners were killed and 15 others were injured during a confrontation with security forces.
The prisoners escaped during violent protests, during which police cars, stations and public infrastructure were destroyed, after the country’s Constitutional Council certified the victory of the ruling Frelimo party in the elections held on October 9.
Rafael said that the escape from the Maputo Central Prison, located 14 kilometers southwest of the capital, began around noon on Wednesday, after a “rampage” occurred on the part of a “group of disruptive demonstrators” in a nearby area, adding that prisoners in the facility were extracted The prison guards took weapons and proceeded to free other prisoners.
He added, “There is a remarkable fact that in that prison we had 29 convicted terrorists who were released, and we are concerned, as a country, as citizens of Mozambique, and as members of the defense and security forces.”
He added, “They (the protesters) were making noise, demanding the release of the prisoners who were serving their sentences there,” adding that the protests led to the collapse of a wall, allowing the prisoners to escape.
Rafael called on the escaped prisoners to surrender themselves voluntarily, and the population to report the escapees.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern about the violence, calling on all political leaders and parties concerned to “reduce tensions, including through meaningful dialogue and legal reparations,” UN spokeswoman Stephanie Tremblay said on Thursday.
She added that the Secretary-General also called for an end to the violence and redoubled efforts “to reach a peaceful solution to the ongoing crisis.”
Last updated: December 27, 2024 – 20:47
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