Border Closures Amid Mozambique Election Violence
South Africa took immediate action to close its border with Mozambique on Thursday, shortly after temporarily reopening it earlier that day. This decision followed a surge in violence in Mozambique after elections, resulting in confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement. The South African authorities have advised citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Mozambique due to the escalating situation. According to Amnesty International, violence related to the protests, which began in late October, has resulted in over 20 fatalities, with many more injured or arrested.
The border closure comes after a brief period of restricted openings designed to allow stranded trucks and vehicles to cross. However, the situation intensified rapidly, leading to the complete reversal of the decision. Protests are being organized largely by opposition factions dissatisfied with the results of the October 9 elections, in which the ruling party, Frelimo, achieved a new mandate, extending its dominance for 49 years. Reports indicate that police have deployed tear gas in an effort to disperse crowds in the capital city of Maputo.
Social media has seen a surge of videos showcasing large groups of young people, directed by opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, as they march toward the capital. They have been reported to block roads with debris and set fires. Mondlane, who secured 20% of the vote in the presidential elections, has since fled Mozambique under precarious circumstances following the assassination of two of his aides before the election results were declared.
The Border Management Agency of South Africa indicated that the closure of the border was also prompted by an influx of 15 Mozambican border officials seeking refuge from the ongoing turmoil. Agency commissioner Mike Masiapato noted that these officials reported an alarming situation, where protesters had reportedly looted facilities, seizing computers and attacking trucks.
In light of the unrest, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations, Ronald Lamola, appealed for peace and an end to the violence, expressing the country’s deep concerns regarding the outbreak of post-election conflicts. He lamented the loss of life and damage to property resulting from the turmoil. Furthermore, internet connectivity in Mozambique has faced significant disruptions since the previous Friday, compounding the crisis.
The opposition has leveled allegations against the Frelimo party, claiming electoral fraud to ensure the victory of presidential candidate Daniel Chapo, who has been reported to have received over 70% of the votes as declared by the Mozambique Electoral Commission. While the commission releases election results, it is the responsibility of the Constitutional Council to assess these claims and resolve any disputes, including those raised by opposition groups Renamo and Podemos.
In a significant escalation of tensions, authorities in Mozambique have threatened to deploy military forces to suppress the protests, framing the demonstrations as an attempted coup against a legitimately elected administration. Human rights organizations have condemned the government’s response, describing it as the most severe crackdown witnessed in years.