The Maputo Central Hospital, Mozambique’s largest, has reported that ‘at least three people have been killed and 66 others injured in clashes between police and protesters against the results of the recent elections’.

According to Reuters, this toll adds to at least 18 people killed in earlier protests since the 9 October elections, which the opposition says were ‘rigged’.

Human rights groups have accused Mozambican police of using live ammunition against political protesters, while the interior minister defended the police response to the latest demonstrations, saying it was ‘necessary to restore public order’.

Anger has been growing since the electoral authorities declared the ruling Frelimo party the winner of the 9 October elections.