Seven dead in Mozambique anti-government protest

MAPUTO, Mozambique (Reuters) -- Mozambican security forces killed at least seven people Thursday in demonstrations organized by the opposition Renamo to protest against elections last December, a government official told Radio Mozambique.

Interior Ministry spokesman Nataniel Macamo told the radio that the seven people had been shot dead in demonstrations in central Sofala province.

"The people who were demonstrating were so violent we had to use power to counter the situation," Macamo said.

Renamo, a former rebel movement, accused the ruling Frelimo party of rigging last December's election in parts of the country dominated by Renamo.

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