Responding to the killing of Pedro João Chaúque, a member of the opposition National Alliance for a Free and Autonomous Mozambique (Anamola) party, in Mozambique’s south-western Gaza province on 16 May, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, said:
“The killing of Pedro João Chaúque by unknown armed men is extremely concerning. It comes after another member of the same opposition party was killed in Manica province barely two weeks ago and fits into a disturbing pattern of killings or enforced disappearances of opposition party members in the recent past.
“Mozambican authorities must ensure prompt, thorough, independent, impartial, transparent and effective investigations into the killings of Pedro João Chaúque and other opposition figures. All suspected perpetrators must be brought to justice in fair trials. Authorities must ensure and provide access to justice and effective remedies for the victims and their families.
“The authorities must also ensure that everyone in the country can freely exercise their right to freedom of expression, including critics and independent voices. No one should be subject to violence, intimidation, harassment or any other reprisals for expressing dissent or challenging government policies.”
Background
On the night of 16 May, unknown armed men, entered the house of Pedro João Chaúque. They shot and killed Pedro João Chaúque on the spot before seizing his vehicle and other items and fleeing.
Mozambique has seen a spate of killings and enforced disappearances of opposition party members in recent months. Anselmo Vicente, Anamola’s coordinator, was killed on 9 May by unknown armed men in Chimoio city, Manica province.
Arlindo Chissale, journalist and supporter of Venâncio Mondlane, the leader of Anamola party and former presidential candidate who disputed the October 2024 elections, has not been seen since 7 January 2025. Witnesses who spoke with Arlindo Chissale’s family revealed that on 7 January, they saw him being removed from a public minibus and beaten before being driven away allegedly by members of the defence and security forces.