Mozambique: Are "Death Squads" targeting the opposition?

On May 9, 2026, Anselmo Vicente, coordinator of the ANAMOLA party in Chimoio, in Mozambique's central Manica province, was shot dead outside his home. According to police, he was killed while "returning home from a party meeting."

Just days later, on May 15, another ANAMOLA member, Pedro Chauke, was also and killed in his home in the southern Gaza province. Witnesses described the perpetrators as "ruthless and professional."

Both cases illustrate an growing wave of violence targeting opposition figures across the country. Particularly affected are supporters of the National Alliance for a Free and Autonomous Mozambique (ANAMOLA), founded by opposition politician Venancio Mondlane after the disputed elections of October 9, 2024 .

ANAMOLA leader Mondlane told DW the government, judiciary and security forces were "at least partly responsible" for the violence against his supporters. Since the party's founding in August 2025, 56 members had been killed, he said. ANAMOLA has also documented 436 incidents of violence, including assaults and arson attacks.

Mondlane, who has described the 2024 election as rigged and led nationwide protests, spoke of deliberate political repression: "The government is complicit in these murders."

He said his party had submitted evidence to the authorities — so far without consequences.

For years, allegations have circulated in Mozambique about so-called death squads, allegedly targeting state critics. During the civil war between the ruling FRELIMO party and RENAMO rebels from 1977 to 1992, both sides committed serious human rights abuses and political killings.

Since around 2015, activists, journalists and human rights organizations have  reported on the alleged presence of organized groups within the security forces which are accused of intimidating or murdering opposition figures and critical voices.