The funeral of 16-year-old Antonio Juaqim, who was fatally shot during protests against last month’s presidential election, has brought the simmering crisis in Mozambique into stark focus.
Antonio was among those killed during the first night of demonstrations, with Human Rights Watch reporting that at least 40 people, including 10 children, have died in the crackdown by police.
Friends and family gathered at São Francisco Xavier Cemetery in Maputo, their grief pointing to the escalating violence that has claimed dozens of lives, including many children.
His uncle, Manuel Samuel said Antonio was shot in the mouth, and the bullet went through the back of his head, describing CCTV footage allegedly showing police firing at protesters.
The protests were sparked by the re-election of Frelimo’s presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo, with 71% of the vote.
Opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, who secured 20% of the vote, has rejected the result, accusing the electoral commission of fraud.
Mondlane, who fled Mozambique fearing arrest, has called on his supporters to demonstrate nightly by banging pots and pans.
Since November 15, the streets of Maputo have echoed with the sound of protest, but violence has followed.
Mozambique’s police commander, Bernadino Raphael, expressed sympathy for the victims’ families but blamed the opposition for using children as shields during protests.
As Mozambique faces one of its most turbulent periods since adopting multi-party democracy 30 years ago, many hope the courts will address opposition calls to annul the election results.
Meanwhile, the nightly protests persist, echoing both despair and defiance across the nation.