Mozambique is bracing for unrest as opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane has called for three days of protests in the coastal city of Quelimane following the attempted murder of his political adviser, Joel Amaral, popularly known as MC Trufafa.
Amaral, a prominent figure in Mondlane’s political circle and a musician whose song “Who won?” became an anthem for opposition protests during the 2023 municipal elections, was shot twice on Sunday by unidentified assailants.
He sustained injuries to his arm and head and is currently in intensive care at Quelimane Central Hospital.
Speaking to supporters in Quelimane on Monday, Mondlane called for “three days of uninterrupted marches” to protest what he described as an attack on freedom of expression and democracy.
“This attack is more than a bullet in Joel’s body – it is a projectile aimed against freedom of expression,” Mondlane said.
He urged citizens to resist the “institutionalisation of fear and political violence” in Quelimane, a city he praised for its democratic vigilance and active citizenship.
The attempted assassination has reignited political tensions in Mozambique and casts a shadow over last month’s meeting between Mondlane and President Daniel Chapo, which was intended to foster dialogue and reduce political divisions.
JN/APA