Mozambicans have been protesting for months since the electoral authority declared Daniel Chapo the winner of the presidential elections. The protests, fueled by allegations of fraud, have intensified in recent weeks, especially after the Constitutional Council affirmed Chapo's victory but revised his winning percentage.

The Southern African regional bloc called for an immediate halt to all hostilities in Mozambique on Tuesday, where 278 people have been killed since opposition protests erupted over allegations of fraud in the October presidential elections.

Tanzania's president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is also the current chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence, injuries, and destruction of both private property and public infrastructure. She highlighted that the situation had led to significant economic challenges, disrupted cross-border trade, and hindered the free movement of people.

In a statement, Hassan urged all parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could escalate the violence, reaffirming SADC's readiness to facilitate a peaceful resolution through appropriate mechanisms.

The protests erupted after Mozambique's electoral authority declared 47-year-old Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo party as the winner of the October 9 presidential elections with 71% of the vote. This decision sparked outrage among opposition supporters, leading to protests that intensified after the Constitutional Council affirmed Chapo's victory but lowered his percentage to 65%.

Hassan appealed for peaceful dialogue to address grievances, emphasizing that restoring harmony and stability in Mozambique aligns with SADC's vision for good governance, social cohesion, and sustainable development in the region.

As protests escalated, thousands of Mozambicans fled to neighboring Malawi and Eswatini for safety. Opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane announced plans to suspend protests for five days to allow for investigations into alleged human rights violations by security forces, with further protests expected in the coming days.