In Mozambique, more than 1,500 inmates escape from a Maputo prison

They escaped while the situation is confused in the country, since the confirmation of the victory of the Frelimo party in power, denounced by the opposition.

They took advantage of the agitation. More than 1,500 inmates escaped from a Maputo prison on the afternoon of Wednesday, December 25, on the third day of unrest in Mozambique that erupted after the confirmation of the Frelimo party's victory in the presidential election . The Constitutional Council confirmed on Monday the election of Daniel Chapo, Frelimo candidate elected on October 9, to the presidency of Mozambique, with 65.17% of the votes. The opposition calls for a “electoral justice”, calling for demonstrations to denounce this election “volley”.

Groups of demonstrators approached the prison center on Wednesday and created confusion and noise, sparking unrest. Detainees ended up breaking down a wall through which they escaped, explained Bernardino Rafael, head of the national police, during a press conference in the evening. In all, “1 534 inmates escaped from the prison” high security located about fifteen kilometers from the capital, he confirmed. Bernardino Rafael said that among the escapees, 33 were killed and fifteen injured in ensuing clashes with prison staff.

The search operations carried out subsequently, supported by the army, made it possible to arrest some 150 of the fugitives. Among the prisoners who escaped are around thirty detainees linked to armed jihadist groups who have been sowing terror for seven years in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. “We are particularly concerned about this situation,” commented the police chief.