Sinead

A confusing day in Mozambique, politically speaking. Since October last year, the country has been unstable with protests that have flared up, due to contested election results and (very valid) accusations of vote rigging by the governing party. The ruling party has refused to engage in the allegations, pressing on with its new term, whilst the ‘defeated’ opposition candidate, Venâncio Mondlane, has rallied his supporters to protest and treat him as the true victor. Although mostly peaceful, the protests have led to ugly clashes between police and a few hundred fatalities involving mostly young bystanders, eager for change in their country.

Earlier this year the defeated opposition candidate announced that the February public holiday for Heroes Day, named for the anniversary of the murder of the first President of FRELIMO, the party that at the time (in 1969) was fighting the Portuguese for independence and now holds all the levers of power, would change. It was slated for the 18th of March in honour of the death two years ago of the rap artist Azagaia, who Mondlane believes represented the new revolution and the groundswell of people pushing for a new era.

Therefore today there was confusion on the streets, some skirmishes at toll booths and roundabouts, and we were advised to be cautious out and about.

It was fitting to see this mural, drawn by someone called Sinead, at the nearby Irish embassy, depicting a defiant woman surrounded by the colours of the Mozambican flag. Much more interesting than the usual embassy frontage. Thanks to Sinead, and força to the wonderful Mozambique people for calmer times ahead.