Mozambique increases security along South African trade corridor during protests

Mozambique has announced plans to strengthen security with South Africa to minimize disruptions caused by ongoing post-election unrest.

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19 Dec, 2024

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Mozambique has announced plans to strengthen security with South Africa to minimize disruptions caused by ongoing post-election unrest.

Mozambique has announced plans to strengthen security along a key trade corridor with South Africa to minimize disruptions caused by ongoing post-election unrest. Protests following the controversial October elections have led to the deaths of nearly 130 people and significant economic losses for both countries.

Senior officials from Mozambique and South Africa held talks following rising concerns about the intensification of protests after the Constitutional Council’s announcement of the final election results on Monday. Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, who rejected the election outcome, vowed to escalate protests and disrupt the economy if the council endorses the victory of the ruling Frelimo party candidate Daniel Chapo.

Protesters have crippled city centers, disrupted power plants, blocked mining activities, and intermittently closed the main border crossing between Mozambique and South Africa. These actions have severely impacted freight traffic and halted the daily flow of trucks transporting South African exports to Maputo port. According to the Road Freight Association, each day of disruption costs the South African economy 10 million rand ($558,000).

Mozambique’s Minister of Transport, Mateus Magala, reported a $54 million loss at Maputo port due to the protests. Typically, 1,100 trucks pass through daily, but during the unrest, the number dropped to as low as 300.

Joint Efforts to Mitigate the Crisis

In a joint statement following the talks, the serious impact of the disruptions on trade and goods circulation between the two countries was highlighted. The statement also warned of potential food and energy insecurity if the situation continues.

Mozambique’s Minister of the Interior, Pascoal Ronda, assured that measures, including the deployment of defense forces to protect goods if necessary, would be implemented to maintain economic stability. “We are determined to protect our economies from further damage,” he said.

South Africa’s Foreign Minister, Ronald Lamola, emphasized the importance of respecting the Mozambique Constitutional Council as the final authority on the election results while also preparing for all possibilities.