Boiling Point

Gunmen killed two key opposition figures over the weekend, an attack that raised tensions in Mozambique as the opposition Podemos party prepares for a nationwide strike to protest disputed election results that favor the long-ruling Frelimo party, the Guardian reported.

Lawyer Elvino Dias and party official Paulo Guambe were killed in the capital of Maputo after gunmen fired up to 15 rounds at their car.

The European Union, Human Rights Watch and Portugal have strongly condemned the killings and called for an immediate and transparent investigation.

Frelimo’s presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo, also condemned the attack, calling it an “affront to democracy.”

The killings come amid growing tensions over provisional results from the Oct. 9 election, which show Frelimo leading in all 11 of the country’s provinces. Chapo is expected to win, continuing the party’s nearly 50-year rule.

However, Podemos and its presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane have rejected the results, alleging vote-buying, voter intimidation and inflated voter rolls. Mondlane has gained widespread support, particularly among younger voters, with observers noting that it represents a major challenge to Frelimo.

Full election results are expected later this week, but observers have already raised doubts about the credibility of the election, Reuters added.

The opposition called for a nationwide strike on Monday to protest the results, raising fears of violence –Mozambique’s security forces shot at protesters at political rallies earlier this month, Amnesty International wrote.