Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Claims that the Israeli occupation has withdrawn from areas in the neighborhoods of al-Zaytoun, al-Tuffah, and al-Shujaiya are false
Hamas: The two delegations stressed that any negotiations must lead to the achievement of our people's goals and aspirations, foremost among which is ending the war and the complete withdrawal of enemy forces
Hamas: A delegation from the Hamas leadership, led by the head of the leadership council, Mohammad Darwish, met with an Islamic Jihad delegation, headed by its Secretary-General, Ziyad al-Nakhalah

At least 6,000 inmates escape Mozambique prison after election unrest

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 27 Dec 2024 08:35
3 Min Read

Police chief reports 33 prisoners killed and 15 others injured following clash with security forces.

Listen
  • x
  • 6,000+ inmates escape Mozambique prison after election unrest
    A protester holds a machete as he gestures next to a burning barricade in Maputo on December 23, 2024. (AFP)

On Christmas Day, at least 6,000 inmates escaped from a high-security prison in Maputo, Mozambique, following a rebellion, according to the country’s police chief.

Bernardino Rafael, the national police commander, reported that 33 prisoners were killed and 15 others injured during clashes with security forces.

The escape occurred amid violent protests that erupted after Mozambique’s constitutional council confirmed the ruling Frelimo party's victory in the October 9 elections. During the unrest, police cars, stations, and other public infrastructure were destroyed.

The breakout from Maputo’s central prison, located 14km southwest of the city, began around midday on Wednesday after "agitation" by "a group of subversive protesters." Rafael explained that prisoners seized weapons from officers and began freeing fellow detainees.

He highlighted, “A curious fact is that in that prison we had 29 convicted terrorists, who they released. We are worried, as a country, as Mozambicans, as members of the defense and security forces."

Rafael also described the protests, which led to the collapse of a prison wall, enabling the inmates to escape. “They [protesters] were making noise demanding that they be able to remove the prisoners who are there serving their sentences,” he said.

Related News

France's TotalEnergies faces manslaughter probe over Mozambique attack

Over 1,500 prisoners escape in Mozambique amid post-election unrest

Authorities are calling for the voluntary surrender of the escaped prisoners and are urging the public to stay informed about the fugitives' whereabouts.

Around 1,500 prisoners have broken out of a high security jail in Mozambique, knocking down a wall and fleeing amid unrest caused by disputed election results. Many 'high-risk' inmates are housed at the prison pic.twitter.com/JVqRWthORA

— RT (@RT_com) December 27, 2024

Videos circulating on social media showed the inmates fleeing the prison, while others depicted military personnel and guards capturing some of the escapees. In one video, a prisoner, still handcuffed on his right wrist, said he had been in the disciplinary section of the maximum-security prison before being released by fellow inmates.

Election unrest

Protesters have ransacked stores, public buildings, and businesses, with ambulances and a drugstore among the properties set ablaze. In some working-class districts, demonstrators set up tables in the streets to celebrate Christmas with family and neighbors, AFP journalists observed.

The unrest follows the announcement that Frelimo leader Daniel Chapo won 65.17% of the October 9 presidential vote, a result confirmed by the country’s highest court despite allegations of electoral irregularities.

Chapo’s main challenger, opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, who is currently in exile, has accused the government of rigging the election, fueling fears of further violence between rival factions.

The turmoil has claimed at least 150 lives so far, according to several NGOs, and has heightened concerns about escalating instability in the Portuguese-speaking African nation.

Read more: Overpacked ship sinks in Mozambique, kills 91 including children

  • Mozambique

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemeni air defenses repel substantial part of Israeli aggression

Yemeni air defenses confront Israeli aggression on Hodeidah

  • Politics
  • 7 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS