Over 1,500 Prisoners Escape in Mozambique Amid Post-Election Turmoil

More than 1,500 prisoners escaped from a high-security prison near Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, on Wednesday, exploiting chaos from ongoing unrest following the controversial confirmation of the ruling Frelimo party’s electoral victory.

National police chief Bernardino Rafael reported that 1,534 inmates fled the facility, located approximately 15 kilometers from the capital. Among the escapees, 33 were killed and 15 injured in clashes with prison staff during the breakout. A subsequent search operation, supported by the army, resulted in the recapture of about 150 fugitives.

Notably, around 30 of the escaped prisoners were linked to armed groups responsible for prolonged violence in the northern Cabo Delgado province over the past seven years. “This situation is particularly concerning,” Rafael stated during a press conference.

The unrest erupted after Mozambique’s highest court confirmed Frelimo’s victory in the October 9 presidential election on Monday. Frelimo, which has governed the country since 1975, faced allegations of election irregularities, sparking widespread protests. Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, currently in exile, denounced the results as rigged, escalating tensions between rival political factions.

On Wednesday, groups of demonstrators approached the prison, creating confusion that led inmates to knock down a wall and escape. Across Maputo, barricades were set up in several areas, impeding movement as acts of vandalism continued. Stores, public buildings, and even ambulances were torched, with a drugstore and other businesses also targeted.

Amid the chaos, some residents of working-class districts turned to small celebrations, setting up tables in the streets to mark Christmas with neighbors and family.

Frelimo leader Daniel Chapo was declared the winner of the presidential election with 65.17% of the vote, a margin about five points lower than initial results announced by the electoral commission. The disputed results have fueled fears of escalating violence between political supporters.

The unrest has already claimed at least 150 lives, according to reports from several NGOs. As Mozambique grapples with the fallout of the election and the mass prison escape, concerns over security and political stability continue to mount.