It’s hard to look away from the tumultuous scene unfolding in the aftermath of the October 2024 elections. Protests have erupted across the country; citizens, disillusioned with the electoral process and fed up with heavy-handed police tactics, are expressing their anger in the streets. However, as Borges Nhamirre eloquently argues for the Institute for Security Studies, these chaotic demonstrations and the police’s indiscriminate crackdowns aren’t the root of the issue—they’re merely the visible symptoms of a much deeper malaise that has been festering in what he describes as a “divided and intolerant” society.
Diving into the heart of the matter, Nhamirre points to the legacy of former President Filipe Nyusi’s authoritarian regime. It’s a tale as old as time: power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Under his watch, the nation witnessed rampant electoral fraud, the chilling persecution, and even the assassination of opposition figures—a dark chapter in the political narrative that many citizens would rather forget but can’t. Can you blame them? In a democracy, people should celebrate their differences, not fear their leaders.
Yet, the challenges don’t end there. Nhamirre also highlights a fundamental issue deeply entrenched in the nation’s political economy, namely, the glaring inequities in wealth distribution. In a country rich with natural resources and potential, why do so many of its citizens live in poverty, while a select few thrive? It’s a classic David and Goliath scenario, with the odds stacked decidedly in favor of the latter. This disparity creates a simmering resentment, a disconnect between the haves and the have-nots that is more contagious than any political rhetoric or campaign promise.
Ask yourself: how many more elections will go by before the cries for justice are heard? The citizens’ frustrations are not just directed at the election results; they’re aimed at a system that appears rigged against them. In a society where trust in governance is eroded, and where the political elite seem to operate in a separate reality, the call for change can feel more urgent than ever.
Imagine walking through a bustling market where the aroma of street food wafts through the air—charmingly chaotic. Vendors are shouting, bargaining, and serving up mouth-watering delicacies. Now imagine that same vibrancy juxtaposed against an undercurrent of tension and anger. It’s almost surreal. These protests aren’t just headlines; they’re the lived experiences of ordinary people who want something different. They yearn for representation, for an honest dialogue with their leaders, and for assurance that they aren’t just cogs in a machine. Instead, they want to be heard, valued, and, above all, respected.
And yet here we are, stuck in a bog of bureaucracy and ballot manipulation. The plight of the marginalized, those who feel excluded from the powers that be, remains an insistent whisper in the background. Has the conversation around equality—be it economic, social, or political—ever been more critical? When will leaders realize that legitimacy is not merely a title bestowed upon them, but a bond earned through trust and genuine dialogue? It’s a lesson apparently lost in the echo chambers of power.
Let’s not forget the role of civil society in this drama. It’s not just about the political elite; there’s a pressing need for a collaborative effort amongst all factions of society. When governance becomes a game of dodging the opposition instead of a platform for genuine cooperation, the country pays the ultimate price. After all, what’s the point of winning at democracy if it means silencing dissent and excluding voices that deserve to be part of the conversation? We can’t simply put a band-aid on a festering wound and call it healing; true progress requires honest recognition of the complexities at play.
For many, the events following the elections serve as a stark reminder that while we may focus on the anger bubbling over at the surface, it’s essential to peel back the layers and confront the grievances hiding underneath. Like looking through a fogged-up window, clarity comes only with persistence and a willingness to engage with the uncomfortable truths. So, as the nation stands at this crossroads, poised between the past and an uncertain future, one cannot help but ask: will the cries of these citizens finally spark the change they so desperately seek? Or will another election cycle slip past, marked by unfulfilled promises and continued suffering?
In the end, change doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it stems from a collective voice, a unified push for justice that resonates through the streets and halls of power. The road ahead is daunting, but perhaps, just perhaps, the winds of change are beginning to stir. Perhaps hope is not lost.
Report By Axadle
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
