The mayor of Nampula city in northern Mozambique was shot dead outside his home yesterday - hours after he led a ceremony to celebrate the Day of Peace, a public holiday to commemorate the 1992 signing of an accord to end a 16-year civil war between the ruling Frelimo party and Renamo opposition.
Mahamudo Amurane was shot three times in the abdomen by an unknown gunman, police said.
The motive for the killing is still unclear.
Mr Amurane was a member of the opposition Mozambique Democratic Movement, but fell out with it.
He plan to run for a second term in next year's municipal elections for another party or as an independent.