Mozambique / Africa

  
A police officer aims his weapon at protesters in Maputo, Mozambique, on November 7, 2024, who were disputing the outcome of the October 9 elections that extended the ruling Frelimo party’s 49-year rule. (Photo: AP/Carlos Uqueio)

Journalists in the crossfire of Mozambique’s post-election crisis

New York, November 19, 2024—In the weeks since Mozambique’s October 9 general election — which was characterized by irregularities and in which the ruling Frelimo party claimed victory — the country has descended into chaos as security personnel engage in violent clashes with protestors disputing the results.  News reports and statements by human rights groups…

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At least 5 journalists harassed or assaulted covering pre-election events in Mozambique

New York, June 7, 2024 – Mozambican authorities should investigate the harassment and assault of at least five journalists covering election-related events since March, and take concrete steps to ensure the press can freely and safely report on matters of crucial public interest leading up to the country’s October general elections, said the Committee to…

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Mozambican reporter Sheila Wilson (left), of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights, reporting from a protest on June 4 before she was arrested. Mozambican STV campera operator Hélder Matwassa and an STV reporter told CPJ they were assaulted and robbed during the protest. (Screenshot, left: Adriano Nuvunga/Facebook, photo: Hélder Matwassa)

Mozambique journalist arrested, 2 harassed and robbed at protest

New York, June 7, 2024 — The Committee to Protect Journalists on Friday expressed alarm that police arrested one journalist and two others were robbed of equipment while covering a protest in the Mozambican capital, Maputo.  At around 6:00 p.m. on June 4, seven police officers chased and arrested Sheila Wilson while she was reporting…

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In a public address on February 17, Mozambique Governor-of Cabo Delgado Valige Tauabo accused journalists of colluding with terrorists. (Screenshot: MSTv Quelimane/YouTube)

Mozambican authorities accuse journalists of colluding with ‘terrorists’

New York, March 7, 2024—Senior officials in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province must withdraw comments accusing journalists of colluding with terrorists and publishing false news and the authorities must allow the media to report on the conflict without intimidation, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Thursday. In a public address on February 17 in the…

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CPJ calls for a thorough investigation into killing of Mozambican journalist João Chamusse

New York, December 14, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for authorities in Mozambique to thoroughly investigate the killing of journalist João Chamusse outside his home his home in KaTembe, in the province of Maputo, on Thursday. “CPJ is deeply disturbed by the killing of prominent Mozambican journalist João Chamusse, and we extend our condolences…

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Mozambique mayor harasses journalists at press conference

On June 12, 2023, Paulo Vahanle, the mayor of the northern Mozambique city of Nampula, refused access to two reporters at a municipal event and accused a third of being a “spy,” according to media reports and the three journalists, who spoke to CPJ. Vahanle, a member of the opposition Resistência Nacional Moçambicana (Renamo) party,…

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Leonardo Gimo

Mozambican journalist Leonardo Gimo investigated for criminal defamation over report on alleged police corruption

On June 5, 2023, Mozambique authorities called Leonardo Gimo, a reporter for the privately owned broadcaster TV Sucesso, and asked him to appear before investigators on June 8, according to a statement by the Mozambican chapter of the regional press freedom group Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) and the journalist, who spoke to CPJ…

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Rosário Cardoso

Mozambique border police detain, beat radio journalist Rosário Cardoso

On January 15, 2023, five Mozambique border police officers detained and beat journalist Rosário Cardoso, according to media reports, statements by the National Forum of Community Radios and the Mozambican chapter of the regional press freedom group Media Institute of Southern Africa, and the journalist, who spoke to CPJ by phone. Cardoso left the community…

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Mozambican journalist Arlindo Chissale faces lesser charge after terrorism accusation

At 4 a.m. on October 29, Arlindo Chissale, editor of privately owned outlet Pinnacle News, which specializes in reporting on the insurgency in Cabo Delgado province, was detained by police in Balama, west of the provincial capital of Pemba, and held in police cells for six days, according to media reports, a statement by the Mozambican chapter…

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Mozambican journalist Gil Namelo assaulted, forced to delete photographs by port official

Around noon on August 13, 2022, Agostinho Conde da Silva, an official with Mozambique’s state-owned port and railway authority, assaulted journalist Gil Namelo in the port city of Quelimane, according to news reports, a statement by the Mozambique chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), and Namelo, who spoke to CPJ via messaging…

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