Elvino Dias, the lawyer representing Mozambique’s leading opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane in the October 9 presidential elections, was fatally shot in the capital on Saturday.
According to the AFP, the attack also claimed the life of Paulo Guambe, a candidate from the Podemos party, which is backing Mondlane.
Eyewitnesses report that two gunmen opened fire on the victims’ car while it was stationary on a central road in Maputo. Albino Forquilha, the head of the Podemos party, confirmed the tragic incident, while the national lawyers’ association expressed “deep shock” over Dias’s death.
The civil society group, Mais Integridade, condemned the killings, describing them as “repugnant” and an “act of intimidation” aimed at undermining the country’s democratic processes.
“This kind of violence is completely unacceptable and threatens the very fabric of our democracy,” the group said in a statement.
Authorities have launched an investigation but have yet to formally identify the victims.
Meanwhile, the European Union issued a strong statement, calling for a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
“In a democracy, there is no place for politically motivated killings,” the EU said, denouncing the murders of Dias and Guambe as “outrageous.”
The attack comes as Mozambique awaits official election results, set to be announced on October 24. Mondlane, who has posed a significant challenge to the ruling Frelimo party, claimed victory shortly after the polls closed.
However, allegations of electoral fraud have emerged, with Mondlane calling for protests on Monday to contest the results.
Frelimo, which has ruled Mozambique since its independence nearly five decades ago, maintains it is leading in the vote count.
