Mozambique is grappling with a major security crisis after more than 1,500 prisoners escaped from a high-security prison near Maputo on Wednesday. The mass jailbreak, which left 33 inmates dead and 15 injured, occurred amid escalating unrest following the disputed re-election of the ruling Frelimo party.
Police chief Bernardino Rafael confirmed the escape involved 1,534 detainees, with around 150 fugitives recaptured during a military-backed operation. Among the escapees were 30 prisoners linked to armed groups responsible for seven years of violence in Cabo Delgado province.
The chaos erupted as protesters clashed near the penitentiary, creating confusion that allowed inmates to breach the prison wall. Barricades and vandalism continued across the capital, leaving supermarkets shuttered and ambulances burned, as reported by local witnesses.
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Frelimo leader Daniel Chapo was confirmed the winner of the October 9 elections with 65.17% of the vote, but opposition leader Venancio Mondlane has rejected the results, claiming he won. Mondlane’s allegations of electoral fraud have stoked fears of further violence between rival party supporters.
The unrest has claimed at least 150 lives, according to NGO estimates. Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda reported 236 acts of violence in the past 24 hours, with 70 arrests and numerous attacks on police stations and other infrastructure.
Observers, including the U.S. State Department, have raised concerns over transparency in the election results. “We urge all parties to prioritize peace and dialogue,” said U.S. spokesperson Matthew Miller.
Mozambique’s half-century of Frelimo rule faces its greatest test as tensions over power, insecurity, and economic struggles continue to mount. As the country prepares for a leadership transition, the immediate focus remains on restoring stability and recapturing the remaining fugitives.
