Carlitos Candangue, a journalist in Mozambique, survived a serious assassination attempt that has raised alarms regarding press freedom in the country. The International Federation of Journalists, along with the Syndicato Nacional de Jornalistas (SNJ), condemned the attack, highlighting its connection to Candangue's investigations into illegal activities in the mining sector, particularly in Manica Province. The attack involved hooded assailants, who reportedly dressed like security forces, firing multiple shots at him, although fortunately, no injuries resulted from the incident.

The SOICO Group, which owns the news outlet where Candangue works, stated that this event signals a grave threat not only to the journalist's life but also to freedom of speech and the broader rights to information for the public. Given the critical role that journalists play in exposing corruption and malpractice, such acts of violence serve as intimidation tactics that could discourage other reporters from pursuing similar stories. The SNJ characterized the attempt on Candangue's life as a cowardly act meant to sow fear within the journalistic community in Mozambique.

This assassination attempt sheds light on the precarious situation for journalists in Mozambique, where investigative reporting, especially on sensitive issues like mining, can provoke violent reactions. The international outcry over this incident reinforces the importance of protecting journalists and the need for dialogue about the safety of those who dare to speak out against abuses and corruption. Only through robust protections can the rights of journalists and the public's right to information be upheld in such challenging environments.