Gunmen in Mozambique have killed a prominent lawyer representing the opposition Podemos party and an official from the same party, just days before a planned nationwide strike over a contested election result. The victims, lawyer Elvino Dias and party representative Paulo Guambe, were fatally shot late Friday night in the capital, Maputo, according to a statement from Podemos on Saturday.
The attackers reportedly pursued their vehicle before opening fire, killing both men instantly. Podemos, which has rejected the provisional election results, described the killings as "further clear evidence of the lack of justice that we are all subjected to."
Adriano Nuvunga, director of Mozambique's Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CDD), condemned the killings, describing them as "cold-blooded murder." According to Nuvunga, around 10 to 15 bullets were fired at the victims. He also characterized Dias' death as a "political assassination" in a social media post.
The political tension comes after preliminary results showed Frelimo, the ruling party, leading in all 11 provinces. Daniel Chapo, the party’s candidate, is widely expected to succeed President Filipe Nyusi, who has reached the two-term limit.
Podemos has called for protests against the election results on Monday, with concerns rising over escalating violence and political instability in the country.