The IPI global network welcomes Mozambique鈥檚 of South African journalists Bongani Siziba and Sbonelo Mkhasibe as well as Mozambican reporter Charles Mangwiro. However, we strongly condemn their November 13 for reporting on public demonstrations against alleged election fraud in the country鈥檚 October 9 presidential election. The vote was won by of the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) party, which has been in power for nearly 50 years since the country’s independence.聽
According to , the journalists faced physical and psychological , and police to damage their work equipment while in detention. Siziba and Mkhasibe both work for the Nigerian broadcaster News Central TV while Mangwiro was reporting for Voice of America (VOA).
鈥淭hough we are relieved that all three journalists are now free, we underscore that it is unacceptable for any country to arrest journalists who are doing their job of reporting on events in the public interest鈥�, said IPI Director of Advocacy Amy Brouillette. 鈥樷�橝uthorities should hold accountable those behind their arrest, and other recent attacks on the press in Mozambique. Journalists must be allowed to carry out their work without hindrance.鈥�
Pressure on press freedom聽聽
The three journalists鈥� arrest and detention highlights a recent series of attacks and restrictions on press freedom in Mozambique related to coverage of the election and post-election protests.
Before the presidential campaigns, IPI monitoring documented several incidents of attacks and threats to press freedom in August. In September, journalists Valeriano Evaristo and Leonarda Domingos from R谩dio Chuabo were to cover the campaign of the ruling Frelimo party, even though they had accreditation. Similarly, reports have indicated that more than 200 polling stations to cover the voting process. The authorities also journalists Alfredo Leite and Marc Ricardo Silva, special envoys from the Correio de Manha (CM) group, to cover public demonstrations.聽
Additionally, attacks on the press and journalists escalated during the post-election protests. At least were reportedly assaulted, arrested, or detained and/or had their equipment confiscated.
Internet shutdown
In response to the public outrage following allegations of vote fraud claimed by opposition candidate , authorities the internet for several days, between October 25 and November 7, in an attempt to hinder public mobilization and suppress access to information
Deadly crackdown on post-election protests聽
At least 50 the eruption of the post-elections protests nationwide, with hundreds more injured. Before the announcement of the election results, two figures associated with the opposition party were 鈥� a killing that the potential danger facing critics and dissidents in the country.
IPI calls on Mozambican authorities to demonstrate their commitment to democracy, accountability, and public participation in the democratic process by allowing press freedom to thrive. Authorities must cease any harassment of journalists, ensure accountability for those responsible for recorded attacks on the press, and uphold the public鈥檚 right to information, including by refraining from internet restrictions.