Demonstrations in Mozambique and the escape of more than 1,500 prisoners.. What is happening?

More than 1,500 detainees escaped from a prison in Maputo on Wednesday afternoon, taking advantage of disturbances in the facility against the backdrop of tensions in Mozambique for the third day in a row, after the ruling Frelimo party was confirmed to have won an election that the opposition says was rigged.
National Police Chief Bernardino Rafael confirmed in a press conference in the evening that in total “1,534 detainees have escaped from the prison,” located about 15 kilometers from the capital. He said that 33 of the escapees were killed and 15 others were injured in clashes with prison guards.

Disturbances inside the prison

Search operations conducted with the support of the army allowed the arrest of about 150 of these fugitives. Among the escapees are about 30 detainees linked to armed jihadist groups that have been spreading terror for seven years in the Cabo Delgado province in the north of the country.
“We are particularly concerned because of this situation,” the police chief said. He pointed out that groups of demonstrators approached the prison and caused confusion and noise, causing unrest inside the prison, where the prisoners eventually broke a wall through which they escaped.

Elections in Mozambique

The Mozambique Constitutional Court, the highest level in the country, confirmed on Monday the victory of the Frelimo party (Frelimo for the Liberation of Mozambique), which has been in power since 1975, in the elections that essentially led to weeks of unrest.
Based on the election results, the party’s candidate, Daniel Chapo (47 years old), will assume the presidency, succeeding Filipe Nyusi, whose second term ends on January 15.
Chapo, who has limited experience in politics and governance, will be the first president of Mozambique born after independence and the first who was not a fighter in the Mozambique Liberation Front.
The Frelimo party has ruled the country since its independence from Portugal.