Mozambique: Opposition Mobilizer Must Be Protected
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.