Allegations of human rights atrocities at hands of Mozambican authorities during unrest continue to surface
Reports indicate more than 100 Mozambicans died during clashes with police and the military.
Members of the Islamic community of Mozambique march during a protest against the results of the 2024 presidential elections in Maputo on 2 November 2024. Picture: ALFREDO ZUNIGA / AFP
MAPUTO - Allegations of human rights atrocities at the hands of Mozambican authorities continue to surface following weeks of civil unrest in the country.
Reports indicate more than 100 Mozambicans died during clashes with police and the military.
In Benfica, just outside the city of Maputo, families are calling for international assistance in investigating a warehouse fire in which they claim more than 50 people were killed.
On Christmas Eve, a warehouse fire in Benfica, Mozambique, claimed the lives of dozens of people.
The fire allegedly started when police attempted to clear the warehouse of looters using smoke grenades and tear gas.
The situation quickly escalated as electrical, hardware and wholesale goods went up in flames.
Jonas Khumbane said that his younger brother, Juan, was killed in the fire along with several others.
"It was so dark inside because of the smoke. They didn’t see where the door was to get out. In the end, most of the people died inside."
He said that the fire was only extinguished on Christmas Day and the municipality collected all the remains from the scene but never provided any closure for families of the victims.