US urges probe into killings of two Mozambique opposition figures

WASHINGTON — 

The U.S. authorities connected Monday condemned the weekend killings by gunmen of 2 Mozambique absorption figures up of protests against a disputed predetermination result, with Washington urging "a swift and thorough probe into the murders."

Why it's important

The United States is the largest bilateral donor to Mozambique, providing implicit $560 cardinal successful assistance annually, according to the U.S. State Department website.

Washington joined the European Union and Mozambique's erstwhile assemblage ruler Portugal successful the condemnation and the telephone for an probe into the murders of absorption lawyer Elvino Dias and absorption enactment authoritative Paulo Guambe connected Saturday aft aggregate rounds were fired astatine a car successful which they were travelling.

Key quotes

"The United States condemns the killings of lawyer Elvino Dias and Podemos parliamentary campaigner Paulo Guambe successful Mozambique," the U.S. State Department said successful a statement.

"We articulation the calls made by each 4 of Mozambique's nationalist governmental parties successful urging a swift and thorough investigation."

Context

Mozambique constabulary connected Monday fired teargas and bullets astatine protesters successful the superior Maputo who had gathered astatine the country wherever the 2 absorption enactment figures were changeable dormant connected Saturday aft a disputed election.

The afloat results of Mozambique's Oct. 9 nationalist predetermination are expected this week, with aboriginal results showing that the ruling enactment Frelimo is acceptable for different win. Opposition candidates accidental the canvass was rigged.

Frelimo has ruled the confederate African state since 1975 and has been accused of electoral fraud by absorption leaders, civilian nine and predetermination observers. It denies the allegations.

The State Department urged Mozambique's authorities institutions, governmental leaders, citizens and stakeholders to resoluteness electoral disputes peacefully and lawfully portion rejecting unit and inflammatory rhetoric.