Violent protests have erupted across major cities and towns following the announcement of election results by the National Election Commission on October 24.

Two anti-government protesters were killed, and another seriously injured during clashes with security forces in Mozambique on Wednesday, as reported by human rights activists.

Adriano Nuvunga, the executive director of the Centre for Democracy and Human Rights, informed Anadolu that the death toll from protests since the elections on October 9 has reached 67. Nuvunga explained that police opened fire on the protesters after hundreds of them gathered in the northern city of Nampula, where they had blocked traffic with barricades and burned tires.

“The protesters confronted the police who were deployed to dismantle the blockade, which had also halted coal imports from one of the country’s ports. This confrontation led to violent clashes, ultimately resulting in the deaths of two protesters,” Nuvunga stated.

In Maputo, the national capital, a military vehicle ran over and seriously injured a young woman who had been standing behind a large banner of opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, which had been placed in the middle of a busy road.

Violent protests have broken out in major cities and towns following the announcement of the National Election Commission (CNE) results on October 24. The CNE declared that the ruling party's Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) candidate, Daniel Chapo, had won with 70% of the vote, while Mondlane, the opposition leader, came second with 20%. Mondlane called the results “fraudulent” and urged nationwide protests on October 31 to contest the election outcome.

In response to Mondlane's call, hundreds of people have taken to the streets in protest.

Zenaida Matchado, the senior researcher for Human Rights Watch (HRW) in Mozambique, told Anadolu that at least 10 children have been killed in the ongoing violence since the election.

Mondlane, who is currently in exile abroad, declared three days of national mourning last week to honor the victims, including protesters who were killed during the demonstrations and those who died at the hands of the police, who were meant to protect them.

Meanwhile, outgoing President Filipe Nyusi invited all four presidential candidates from the election to a meeting on Tuesday in an effort to find lasting solutions to the current political crisis. However, Mondlane declined the invitation, citing security concerns.