Key Points
- South Africa closes Lebombo border post with Mozambique.
- Mozambique’s election sparks deadly protests, military alert.
- Opposition claims victory; police violence escalates.
South Africa has closed its key Lebombo border post with Mozambique due to growing security risks tied to violent protests over the country’s contested October election.
The temporary closure, announced by South Africa’s border authority on Wednesday, comes after at least 18 deaths have been linked to the unrest in Mozambique, which has seen increasing opposition protests.
Mozambique’s election aftermath shuts down key border
Protests, led by opposition figures who contend that the ruling Frelimo party fraudulently secured victory, have triggered violent confrontations across Mozambique.
Human rights organizations report widespread use of tear gas and live ammunition, and the suppression of internet access by the authorities. As tensions spilled over, the Mozambican military was placed on high alert, with officials warning of a potential military response to quell dissent.
The decision to close the Lebombo border post in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province follows reports of vehicles being set on fire on the Mozambican side. South African authorities cited these security incidents, emphasizing the need to safeguard public safety.
The port remains shut for the foreseeable future as the situation continues to evolve. Notably, seven Mozambican officials have sought refuge in South Africa, further underlining the gravity of the situation.
Opposition claims victory, police violence escalates
The unrest is largely fueled by claims from opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, who asserts that the Frelimo party manipulated the election results to maintain its grip on power. Mondlane’s supporters are calling for his rightful victory to be recognized, sparking mass protests across Mozambique.
On Thursday, protests are set to intensify with a large march towards the capital, Maputo. Meanwhile, Mozambique’s electoral commission has remained silent on the fraud accusations, and Frelimo has refrained from commenting on the allegations.
Mozambique’s Defence Minister Cristovao Chume issued a stern warning to opposition groups, signaling the military’s readiness to intervene should the protests spiral further. Amid the rising violence, the Mozambican Centre for Democracy and Human Rights reports at least 24 deaths linked to police actions, while Human Rights Watch has confirmed 18 fatalities, with the death toll expected to rise.
In response to the growing unrest, Mozambique’s Interior Minister defended the actions of security forces, asserting that the police were compelled to restore order in the face of what he described as violent protests aimed at destabilizing the country.
