Feb 18 β€’ 11:09 UTC 🌍 Africa RFI Afrique (FR)

Mozambique: two former high-ranking officials questioned about post-election violence

Two former high-ranking officials in Mozambique are being questioned regarding their alleged roles in post-election violence that took place between October 2024 and March 2025.

In Mozambique, former police commander Bernardino Rafael and former Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda were questioned by the Attorney General on February 17 regarding allegations of their involvement in human rights violations and deaths during the post-election crisis. This questioning follows a complaint filed in April by the civil society group Decide, which accuses them of being responsible for the violence that erupted following the elections. This session marks the second time the two have been interrogated in relation to these serious allegations.

The questioning session was reportedly brief, lasting less than an hour, during which Rafael and Ronda were informed about the next steps in the ongoing legal process. A source close to the investigation characterized the session as primarily informational. The Attorney General's office has already conducted several other hearings as part of the broader inquiry into the violence, indicating that the investigation is continuing and involves multiple testimonies from various officials within the government.

The implications of these hearings are significant in the context of Mozambique's recent electoral history, which has been marred by allegations of violence and repression. The outcome of this investigation could have far-reaching consequences for the country's political landscape and for the accountability of high-ranking officials involved in security and governance during a tumultuous period. As civil society organizations push for justice and transparency, these developments highlight the ongoing struggle for human rights and accountability in Mozambique.

πŸ“‘ Similar Coverage