A major security breach occurred in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, on December 25 when thousands of prisoners escaped from a high-security facility. The prison break coincided with escalating civil unrest due to election-related controversies, according to Mozambique’s police chief.

Authorities estimate that around 6,000 inmates escaped from Maputo Central Prison in a rebellion fueled by external chaos. The breakout resulted in the deaths of 33 prisoners and 15 others were injured in a clash with security forces, as reported by Police Chief Bernardino Rafael.

Two parallel events unfolded simultaneously in Mozambique: a mass jailbreak and widespread civil unrest, including in the capital city. These incidents were triggered by the controversial decision of the Constitutional Council to endorse the victory of the ruling Frelimo party in the October 9 election, resulting in widespread protests and damage to police and public infrastructure.

Chief Rafael provided a detailed account of the incidents in Maputo Central Prison, located approximately nine miles southwest of the city. He stated that the unrest started around midday Wednesday when a group of “subversive protesters” gathered near the prison, causing a wall to collapse. Amid the ensuing chaos, inmates reportedly seized weapons from the guards and began releasing fellow prisoners.

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

In a shocking security lapse, prisoners managed a mass escape from the maximum-security facility, as seen in widely shared social media footage. While some of the escapees sought refuge in nearby homes, military and correctional personnel promptly initiated a response operation, capturing at least 150 escapees. Among the evidence gathered was a video statement from an escapee, still partially restrained with a handcuff, who recounted how he was freed from the prison’s disciplinary unit by other inmates.

This incident occurred against the backdrop of wider discontent linked to disputed election results. As reported on Tuesday, at least 21 people, including two police officers, have been killed in post-election violence. Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda stated that the unrest was primarily instigated by young supporters of the opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane, who received 24 percent of the vote, a stark contrast to the 65 percent achieved by the ruling Frelimo party candidate Daniel Chapo.

“The announcement of the election results sparked the recent violence and looting,” Ronda said during a press conference in Maputo. He added that the country was already tense before the Constitutional Council’s decision, with protests breaking out immediately following the announcement.

Chief Rafael has urged the escaped prisoners to turn themselves in and has called on the public to remain alert and provide any information about these fugitives.

The jailbreak and the subsequent violence underscore the delicate political and social situation in Mozambique. Human rights organizations and international observers have urged for dialogue and transparency to address the root causes of the unrest. Meanwhile, local residents are expressing concerns about their safety following the mass escape.

“We are scared for our safety,” expressed a resident of Maputo, requesting anonymity. “The government needs to act quickly to capture these dangerous individuals.”

As the situation persists, the Mozambican government is under increasing pressure to restore peace while also addressing the wider political tensions contributing to the unrest.