On April 13, 2025, Joel Amaral—also known as MC Trufafá—a 34-year-old artist and national mobilizer for opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, was shot by unidentified attackers in Quelimane, Zambézia Province. The attack happened as he was returning home from church in the Coalane neighborhood.
Joel was hit by two bullets, one striking his head. He was rushed to Quelimane Central Hospital in critical condition. Medical staff have since confirmed that he is now stable and out of immediate danger.
As he continues to recover, Mozambican authorities must urgently investigate the shooting and take immediate steps to protect his safety.
Here’s what you can do:
Write to the President of Mozambique urging him to:
- Ensure Joel Amaral’s safety during his recovery, both in the hospital and once he is discharged.
- Promptly launch a thorough investigation into the attempt on his life.
- Guarantee that the investigation is independent, impartial, transparent, and effective, in line with international human rights standards.
Write to:
President of Mozambique
Mr. Daniel Chapo
E-mails: gabinetedeimprensa.pr@gmail.com; info@danielchapo.org.mz
Salutation: Your Excellency:
And copy:
His Excellency Alfredo Fabiao Nuvunga
High Commissioner
Embassy of the Republic of Mozambique
1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW
Washington, D.C., DC 20036
United States of America
Tel: (202) 293-7146 / 290-5322 (24h) Fax: (202) 835-0245
Email: washington.dc@embamoc.gov.mz
MC Trufafá: A voice for change
Joel Amaral, widely known as MC Trufafá, stepped into politics in 2023 during Mozambique’s municipal elections. He gained national recognition for supporting the opposition RENAMO party and for mobilizing thousands through protest marches that felt more like celebrations. His catchy, political songs quickly went viral, making him a familiar voice on the streets.
In 2024, Joel joined the mobilization team of Venâncio Mondlane, an opposition leader and former presidential candidate. Once again, he drew large crowds during election campaigns and post-election protests.
Joel is more than an activist. He is a public servant in Quelimane, where he previously served as the Councillor for Culture. He is also a father of two, an artist, and the drummer for the band Tudulos.
A climate of violence and repression
Mozambique has been in political crisis since the general elections on October 9, 2024. Local civil society groups report nearly 400 people killed, more than 3,500 injured, and over 4,000 detained.
Tensions escalated further on October 19, when Lawyer Elvino Dias and PODEMOS party leader Paulo Guambe were shot dead in Maputo. Media reports say over 20 bullets were fired. Both were close allies of Venâncio Mondlane.
By January 2025, the PODEMOS party announced that more than 100 of its members and supporters had been kidnapped or killed since the October elections.
Ongoing attacks on political opponents
On January 7, 2025, Arlindo Chissale—a journalist, politician, and supporter of Mondlane—was forcibly disappeared in Cabo Delgado province. Witnesses told his family they saw security forces remove him from a public minibus. Authorities have provided no information about his whereabouts.
On February 23, Dinis Tivane, a political advisor to Mondlane, reported that over 24 bullets had been fired at his home’s front gate in Maputo.
On March 8, two more supporters of Mondlane—Daniel Guambe and Rafito Sitoe—were shot dead while inside a vehicle in Massinga district, Inhambane province. The attack mirrored the October 19 killings of Dias and Guambe.
Please take action as soon as possible until September 15, 2025. The UA will be duly updated should there be the need for further action.
