Paulo Guambe, a presidential candidate from Mozambique’s Podemos party in the October 9 general election has been assassinated.
He was gunned down alongside Elvino Dias, the lawyer for leading opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane, in Maputo on Saturday.
The two were shot by gunmen while their car was parked in the centre of the capital, according to witnesses.
Albino Forquilha, the head of Podemos, confirmed the killings.
The national lawyers’ association expressed shock over Dias’s death, and the civil society group Mais Integridade condemned the murders, calling them an act of intimidation designed to undermine democracy.
Police have launched an investigation but have yet to confirm the identities of the victims.
The European Union also condemned the killings, demanding a full and transparent investigation to bring those responsible to justice, stating that politically motivated violence has no place in a democracy.
As Mozambique awaits official election results, expected on October 24, Mondlane has claimed victory, alleging electoral fraud and calling for protests against the ruling Frelimo party.
