Cabo Delgado: Increase in Human Rights violations

 

Human rights violations in Cabo Delgado have become a common occurrence, despite the guarantees enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique. Human decency is being torn apart, and a curse is taking hold of people to the point of taking another's life without mercy.

In less than a week, two people were shot at point-blank range in two districts of Cabo Delgado province, namely Montepuez and Ancuabe, with the latter occurring in the village of Intutupue.

These murders were carried out by armed and unknown men in these areas, which has raised doubts among the population regarding the reasons that led to the deaths of these individuals.

The right to life is one of the principles guaranteed in the Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, the United Nations, and in any part of the world.

"We regret and feel sorrow when we see people taking the lives of others as if they were chickens," said some residents of the village of Ntutupue in Ancuabe, who preferred to remain anonymous.

With the murder in the village, popular fury erupted, leading to the destruction of homes belonging to members of the Frelimo party, and some of them have already fled the village. Their human rights were also violated. For example, their right to live in the village where they normally reside, with family and friends.

In the wake of this fury, the national road leading to the city of Pemba was blocked in that part of the province, with the population not allowing any vehicles to pass, in protest against the events of the night of January 6th. This led to another confrontation between the population and the Defense and Security Forces deployed in the village to restore order and security.

According to local sources, this popular confrontation delayed the burial of the deceased, a citizen who was killed in his home under unknown circumstances, although it is suspected that it was politically motivated. The situation was only resolved thanks to the intervention of the Armed Forces of Defense of Mozambique (FADM), who were from Macomia.

Upon entering the village, they were met by the Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR), causing chaos between the two government forces.

Our local sources reported that the confrontation with the UIR resulted in two people being injured by gunshot wounds to the foot, but no fatalities. Later, the UIR withdrew from the village, leaving the FADM with the population. (Celestino Carlos)