Rwanda’s Government Spokesperson, Yolande Makolo, stated on Sunday that Rwandan armed forces are not involved in controlling post-election protests in Maputo, Mozambique, despite recent rumors circulating online.
“There are no Rwandan troops in Maputo. Rwandan Security Forces are deployed strictly in Cabo Delgado province, in joint operations with Mozambican forces against extremist Islamist fighters that have been terrorizing residents in the province,” Makolo clarified on X, responding to a user’s post. She further denounced the rumors as false, addressing claims of Rwandan troops and armored vehicles mobilized in Maputo amid ongoing demonstrations contesting the election results.
Rwanda has maintained a force of over 2,000 soldiers in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province since 2021, aiming to counter terrorist groups that have been active in the region for seven years. The Rwandan deployment protects key areas, including a gas project led by the French company TotalEnergies, under an agreement between the Rwandan and Mozambican governments.
Maputo saw a day of calm on Sunday after three days of protests, largely led by supporters of presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, with police frequently using tear gas to disperse crowds. Streets previously blocked by burning tires and garbage containers returned to normal, while markets in the suburbs saw unusually high Sunday demand.
Mondlane, who called for a week of strikes and demonstrations beginning October 31 and a march in Maputo on November 7, contests the results of the October 9 general elections. He has termed these demonstrations as the third phase in his challenge to the election outcome, following protests on October 21, 24, and 25 that led to confrontations with police, resulting in at least 10 deaths, dozens of injuries, and 500 arrests, according to the Mozambican NGO, the Center for Public Integrity.
On October 24, Mozambique’s National Elections Commission (CNE) declared Daniel Chapo of the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) the victor with 70.67% of the vote. Mondlane, backed by the extra-parliamentary Optimistic Party for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos), received 20.32% but has rejected the results, which await final validation by the Constitutional Council.
