The opposition has called for additional protests on Thursday in the capital, Maputo, which have been named "the day of Mozambique's freedom."

Mozambique's defense minister, Cristovao Chume, threatened on Tuesday to deploy the military to end weeks of deadly post-electoral protests, which he claimed were aimed at overthrowing the government.

Rights groups reported that security forces had killed approximately two dozen people during protests since the October 9 election, which was won by the ruling Frelimo party. The opposition rejected the election results, leading to several rounds of protests across the southern African nation. Most of these protests were suppressed by police.

"Violent demonstrations are sowing hatred between brothers, destroying infrastructure, and showing how divided we are," said Defense Minister Chume during a press conference. "There is an intention to change the democratically established power," he added.

"If the escalation of violence continues, the armed forces will have to protect the interests of the state," Chume warned. His statement came ahead of a protest planned for Thursday in the capital, Maputo, by prominent opposition politician Venancio Mondlane, who has called it "the day of Mozambique's freedom."

Human Rights Watch reported on Tuesday that at least 18 people had been killed by security forces during protests since the election, including seven people over the weekend. Mozambique's Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CDD) also reported that the number of fatalities due to police violence had risen to 24.

Election observers, including those from the European Union, have raised concerns about serious flaws before, during, and after the election, with accusations that the electoral body manipulated results to maintain Frelimo's grip on power.

Chume confirmed that a police officer was killed during a protest in Matola over the weekend, stoned to death by a mob. He condemned the violence, stating, "We must all say enough is enough to this bloodbath against police and civilians." While he acknowledged that there may have been "excesses" by security forces, he assured that these incidents were under investigation.

On October 24, Mozambique's electoral body declared that Frelimo's Daniel Chapo had won more than 70 percent of the vote, while Mondlane received 20 percent. Chapo is expected to replace President Filipe Nyusi in January, as Nyusi is set to complete his two-term constitutional limit.

During the same press conference, President Nyusi addressed rumors that he might declare a state of emergency to extend his time in office. "When my time comes, I'll leave and I don't want to stay for a minute," Nyusi declared. "There's no doubt that I'll leave." He also appealed for calm, urging, "We appeal to our young people, our children, to calm down. Let's stop."

Frelimo has been in power since Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975. The electoral commission has been accused of manipulating results to ensure the continuation of Frelimo’s rule.

Following the election, Mondlane has used social media to rally protests against what he calls fraudulent results. The government has implemented internet restrictions on multiple occasions, which the CDD and other civil society groups argue are politically motivated attempts to hinder citizens' rights to free expression, communication, and demonstration. On Tuesday, they called on the courts to force telecommunications companies to restore internet access.

Mondlane and the Podemos party, which surpassed the main opposition Renamo party in the election, have petitioned the Constitutional Court for a recount of the votes.