Mozambique borders reopen as protests subside

Mozambique's border posts were reopened yesterday, and protests in Maputo and other cities have subsided - for now - as the country grapples with ongoing unrest following allegations of election fraud.

The protests, which have rocked the capital and other urban centers for the past week, were sparked by opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane's claim that he won the October elections and that the results were tampered with. Mondlane, leader of the opposition party Podemos, declared that the polls were rigged, alleging widespread irregularities. Frelimo's Daniel Chapo was officially declared the winner with 71% of the vote, but the announcement has been met with skepticism and outrage, particularly from opposition supporters.

The unrest appeared to calm following Mondlane's announcement on Friday that he would make a statement on the next steps of his political movement on Monday. According to veteran journalist Fernando Goncalves Andre, the streets were quiet yesterday, with no new protests breaking out. However, Andre cautioned that this peace may be temporary, as the situation depends on Mondlane's forthcoming pronouncement.

"Mondlane has said he will update his supporters on Monday regarding the next phase of action," Andre explained. "While protests have stopped for now, it's unclear whether the calm will hold. The situation remains fluid."

The protests, which included violent clashes with security forces, led to at least three fatalities and more than 70 injuries. Videos circulating on social media showed police using live ammunition and tear gas to disperse demonstrators, resulting in bloodied individuals being carried to hospitals. To quell the unrest, the government restricted access to social media and the internet, while high-ranking officials, including outgoing president Filipe Nyusi, fled to the northern city of Pemba for safety, as Rwandan troops were deployed to protect the country's vital gas fields.

The violence also extended to the country's border posts with South Africa. The Ressano Garcia and Lebombo crossings were closed last week after an incident in which a Mozambican border police officer shot and killed a schoolchild. The child, allegedly part of a group of students heading home, was killed after one of them pretended to throw a stone at the police. This incident led to widespread protests in the area, with the Ressano Garcia border post set on fire and customs offices destroyed. Several trucks were looted, and some were set on fire.

South African authorities reinforced border security with police and military personnel to prevent the violence from spilling over into South Africa. By yesterday, both border posts were reopened, allowing the flow of goods and people to resume.

The closure of these border posts had significant ramifications for trade, particularly at Maputo's port, which handles almost all consumer goods imports to Mozambique. The port had been operating at a reduced capacity due to strikes and unrest, with some logistics companies suspending operations. South African logistics firm Grindrod temporarily halted its operations at the Maputo and Matola ports last week due to safety concerns.

The political turmoil surrounding the election results has exacerbated Mozambique's ongoing economic challenges, particularly in light of the country's heavy dependence on gas exports. While the gas sector has seen a significant increase in revenue in recent years, the current unrest raises concerns about the stability of this crucial industry. At least 34 people are reported to have died around the election period, according to the Centre for Democracy and Human Rights.

In response to the situation, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has convened an urgent summit, scheduled for November 20 in Harare, to discuss the crisis in Mozambique. The preliminary meetings will begin on November 15. The EU observer team, which monitored the election, reported irregularities in the vote counting process, while the SADC and South African governments have largely focused on the pre-election processes.

Despite the tensions, political analyst Nel Marais believes that negotiations will be key to resolving the crisis, though he notes that Podemos lacks a clear political structure, which could complicate talks with the ruling Frelimo party.

"The situation will likely require negotiations, but it's not clear who Frelimo will negotiate with," Marais said. "And it's not just about the election results - it's about addressing the systemic issues within the election process itself."

The Catholic Church, which has historically played a role in facilitating peace and reconciliation in Mozambique, may also be called upon to mediate discussions.

As the country waits for Mondlane's next move, the looming uncertainty continues to hang over Mozambique, a nation already grappling with economic hardship. The political crisis threatens not only the country's stability but also its potential to capitalize on its burgeoning gas wealth. For Mozambique, the stakes are high, and the country can ill afford further disruptions to its vital industries.