The objective of "neutralising" is understood as part of a strategy to defuse centres of dissent, conveying the idea that the opposition is aligned in condemning the protests.
In parallel, available information indicates that the security forces, especially the PRM (police) rapid response units, will increase pressure in the event of a return of street protests. The Chief of the PRM, BERNARDINO RAFAEL, a Maconde with family ties to FN, is said to have instructed provincial and district commanders to increase pressure on the protesters, dubbed "urban terrorists," by infiltrating unidentified (plainclothes) elements among the protesters for the identification and punishment of the perpetrators. READ MORE