At least 21 people, including two police officers, have been killed in violent clashes across Mozambique following the Constitutional Council's decision to confirm ruling Frelimo party candidate Daniel Chapo as the winner of the contentious Oct. 9 elections, authorities reported Tuesday.

Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda stated during a press briefing in Maputo that widespread violence and looting erupted shortly after the court's ruling was announced on Monday. He attributed the unrest primarily to young supporters of opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane, who garnered 24% of the votes compared to Chapo’s 65%.

"In the past 24 hours, preliminary assessments recorded 236 incidents of violence nationwide, resulting in 21 fatalities, including two police officers," Ronda said. He also reported injuries to 13 civilians and 12 police officers.

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Ronda revealed that 25 vehicles, including two police cars, were torched, while 11 police units and a prison facility were attacked and vandalized. Additionally, 86 inmates were freed during the chaos.

The nation experienced heightened tension ahead of Monday’s court verdict, with protests erupting immediately after the announcement. Videos circulating online depicted scenes of arson and looting in Maputo and Beira, where some officials reportedly fled.

Mondlane has called for a nationwide "shutdown" starting Friday, but the country has already witnessed escalating violence, with unrest persisting in the capital late Tuesday.

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Since the Oct. 9 elections, Mozambique, home to 34 million people, has faced continued protests led predominantly by young Mondlane supporters. Demonstrators have frequently encountered gunfire from security forces, pushing the post-election death toll beyond 150.