By Emmanuel Nduka
One of the many Nigerians living in Mozambique has appealed to the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government to intervene in Mozambique’s political crisis following the confirmation of the ruling party’s victory in the October 9 elections.
Akinola Olunloyo urged president Tinubu to use his influence within the African Union to mobilise efforts to restore peace and stability in Mozambique.
Speaking in an interview with journalists on Sunday, Olunloyo said the political unrest was fuelled by the actions of the opposition party, Podemos, through its candidate, Venâncio Mondlane.
Heritage Times HT reports that Mozambique’s Frelimo has been the ruling party since 1975, when the country gained independence from Portugal.
Olunloyo, a businessman and resident of Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, for over 13 years, said many Nigerians were stranded with no means of escape.
“The incitement of violence by Podemos and its key figure, Venâncio Mondlane, has escalated tensions resulting in the loss of lives, destruction of businesses, and targeted attacks on foreign nationals, including Nigerians.
“These actions are not only causing untold suffering to Mozambicans but also putting the lives of Nigerians in jeopardy.
“Immediate intervention is critical to prevent further loss of life and to secure the safety of Nigerians in Mozambique,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted Olunloyo as saying.
While noting that the attack on foreigners and their businesses was because of the belief that the government benefited from foreigners, Olunloyo urged the Nigerian presidency to take actions, including evacuation of Nigerians, to ensure their safety and diplomatic engagement with the Mozambican government to demand the protection of Nigerians.
He urged Tinubu to press for immediate de-escalation of violence, and called on regional bodies and the African Union to demand accountability from Podemos and Mondlane for their role in inciting violence and destabilising the country post-election.
