At least 10 shot dead in Mozambique post-election protests, medical associations say

At least 10 people were shot dead and another 63 injured by gunfire during post-election protests in Mozambique last week, medical associations said on Wednesday, as the country braced for further demonstrations.

Protests broke out before and after Mozambique’s electoral commission announced that ruling party Frelimo had won an Oct. 9 poll, extending its 49 years in power. Opposition candidates, civil society groups and observers said the election was rigged.

The electoral commission has declined to comment on allegations of fraud, while Frelimo did not reply to requests for comment.

Police responded to the protests with teargas and gunfire. Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda told reporters on Tuesday that the protests were violent and that security forces were compelled to restore public order, which resulted in deaths.

Read more: Reuters