URGENT ACTION

OPPOSITION MOBILIZER MUST BE PROTECTED
On 13 April 2025, Joel Amaral, also known as MC Trufafá, a 34-year-old Mozambican artist and national mobilizer for opposition politician Venâncio Mondlane, was shot by unidentified men while returning home from church in Coalane neighbourhood, in the city of Quelimane, Zambézia Province. He was struck by two bullets, one of them to the head. He was rushed to Quelimane Central Hospital in critical condition. Medical staff have confirmed that he is now stable and no longer in immediate danger. While he continues to recover in hospital, Mozambican authorities must promptly investigate the incident and ensure his safety.
TAKE ACTION: WRITE AN APPEAL IN YOUR OWN WORDS OR USE THIS MODEL LETTER

President of Mozambique
Mr. Daniel Chapo
Avenue Julius Nyerere
 Maputo 
Mozambique
E-mails: gabinetedeimprensa.pr@gmail.com;info@danielchapo.org.mz

Dear Mr. President, 

I am writing to you to express my concern about the attempted murder of Joel Amaral, aka MC Trufafá, an artist and national mobilizer for opposition politician Venâncio Mondlane, who is now in hospital under medical observation. 

On 13 April 2025, at around 3pm, Joel was shot by unidentified men while returning home from church in Coalane neighbourhood, in the city of Quelimane, Zambézia Province. He was struck by two bullets, one of them to the head. Joel was rushed to Quelimane Central Hospital in critical condition. 

On the morning of 14 April, Quelimane Central Hospital confirmed in a press conference that Joel had been admitted to intensive care. According to the doctors, the left side of his head was affected, but after medical procedures, he is now stable and no longer in immediate danger. 

Joel Amaral became widely known in 2023 for producing viral songs in support of the opposition. Since the beginning of post-electoral protests in October 2024, there has been a growing pattern of targeted abductions and attacks against opposition supporters. The attempted murder of Joel fits this alarming trend. 

I call on you to ensure that while Joel continues to recover in hospital, his attempted murder must be promptly, thoroughly, independently, impartially, transparently and effectively investigated and to ensure his safety within and outside the hospital.  

Yours sincerely,

Additional information

Joel Amaral, also known as MC Trufafá, began his political journey in 2023 when he publicly supported opposition RENAMO party during the municipal elections. He quickly gained national attention by mobilizing thousands of people through his unique ability to turn protest marches into festive gatherings. With his talent for creating viral political songs, Joel became known in the streets as MC Trufafá.

In 2024, he joined the mobilization team of former presidential candidate and opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane. Once again, Joel played a key role in mobilizing large crowds across the country during campaigns and post-election protests.

Beyond politics, Joel is a public servant in the municipality of Quelimane, where he previously served as the Councillor for Culture. He is also a father of two, an artist, and the drummer of the band Tudulos.

Since the last general elections held on 9 October 2024, Mozambique has plunged into political turmoil that has resulted in nearly 400 people killed, more than 3,500 injured, and over 4,000 detained, according to local civil society organizations monitoring the crisis.

The political tension escalated on 19 October, when two opposition members, Lawyer Elvino Dias and senior member of the PODEMOS party Paulo Guambe were shot dead in the city of Maputo, with more than 20 bullets having been fired, as widely reported by media. Both were part of the team of opposition leader and former presidential candidate, Venâncio Mondlane.

In January, the PODEMOS party publicly denounced that more than 100 people connected to the party had been kidnapped or killed since October.

On 7 January 2025, Arlindo Chissale, journalist, politician, and supporter of Venâncio Mondlane has forcibly disappeared in Cabo Delgado province. Witnesses who spoke to the family said he was last seen being forcibly removed from a public minibus by alleged defense and security forces agents. The authorities have yet to provide any information regarding his whereabouts.

On 23 February, Dinis Tivane, advisor to Venâncio Mondlane, made a public complaint while showing more than 24 bullet holes that had been fired at the gate of his house in Maputo.

On 8 March, Daniel Guambe and Rafito Sitoe, two active supporters of Venâncio Mondlane, were shot dead inside a vehicle in the Massinga district, Inhambane province in the same style as lawyer Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe were shot dead on 19 October 2024.

PREFERRED LANGUAGE TO ADDRESS TARGET: Portuguese
You can also write in your own language.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: 15 September 2025 
Please check with the Amnesty office in your country if you wish to send appeals after the deadline.

NAME AND PRONOUN: Joel Amaral (He/Him)

Additional information

Her Excellency Ms Albertina Maria Domingos Macdonald 
High Commissioner 
High Commission for the Republic of Mozambique
21 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 6EL
Phone: 020 7383 3800
Email: hclondon@mozambiquehc.co.uk 
Web: www.mozambiquehighcommission.org.uk 
Hours: Monday-Friday 09.30 to 13.00 & 14.00 to 17.00
Hours Consular Section: Monday-Friday 09.30 to 13.00
Consular enquiries by email: sectorconsular@mozambiquehc.co.uk 
Salutation: Your Excellency 

Procuradoria Geral da República (Attorney General) 
Américo Julião Letela Endereço: 
Av. Vladimir Lenine number 121 
Email: denuncias@pgr.gov.mz

Ministry of Justice & Constitutional Affairs 
Mateus da Cecília Finiasse Saeze 
Email: suporte@mjcr.gov.mz and info@mjcr.gov.mz 
Av. Zedequias Manganhela, Maputo, Moçambique