Mozambique: Poisining Of Journalist Must Be Investigated

In the aftermath of Mozambique’s October 2024 general elections, the country experienced an unprecedented wave of protests to contest election results and other socioeconomic and political grievances, which were met with unlawful and excessive use of force by security forces. The violent crackdown reportedly resulted in the death of nearly 400 people, while thousands more were injured or subjected to arbitrary arrest and detention. An investigation by Amnesty International found that security forces acted in violation of international human rights law and standards, inflicting harm on not only protesters but also bystanders. During and after this period of heightened tension, opposition members and journalists were particularly targeted.

In January 2025, journalist and opposition member Arlindo Chissale, 46, was forcibly disappeared. He has not been seen since 7 January 2025. Witnesses told his family that they saw him being pulled from a public minibus, beaten, and taken away by individuals believed to be members of the defence and security forces. Amnesty International called for an investigation into his disappearance, to date there has been no response from the Mozambican authorities.