Prisoners are escaping prison in Mozambique as the country struggles with political instability

The news

More than 1,500 prisoners have escaped from a prison in Mozambique, taking advantage of political instability since disputed presidential elections in October.

Critics questioned the accuracy of the results, which showed the ruling party – which has ruled the country since its independence from Portugal in 1975 – winning two-thirds of the vote.

Although a constitutional court recently confirmed the results, opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane called on his supporters to protest against the government, sparking deadly unrest, and this week Mondlane, who is in self-imposed exile in an unknown country, vowed to be inaugurated as president next month .