Police fire tear gas as opposition march on capital

Mozambican police fired tear gas at hundreds of opposition supporters converging on the capital Maputo on Thursday for the biggest demonstration yet against last month’s disputed election.

Human rights groups say at least 18 people have been killed in the police crackdown on protests since the Oct. 9 vote, which extended ruling party Frelimo’s five decades in power.

Opposition parties, civil society groups, and Western observers said the election was unfair and results were altered.

The party has also been accused of voting-rigging in previous polls and denied it.

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Thursday was dubbed the “Day of Freedom” in flyers distributed on social media by presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, who commands a strong following among the country’s disenchanted youth and came second in the official election results but claims to have won.