Protests in Mozambique Disrupt Key Highway to South Africa Amid Election Dispute

Protesters in Ressano Garcia, Mozambique, have blocked the main highway to South Africa by seizing trucks, disrupting public transport and causing infrastructural damage. This unrest follows disputed election results, with allegations of fraud prompting calls for protests. The authorities have advised avoiding travel across the border until the situation stabilizes.

In Ressano Garcia, a border town in Mozambique, protesters effectively blocked the main highway leading to South Africa by commandeering several trucks. As a result, public transportation services were disrupted along the N4 highway, compelling passengers to disembark and walk. The situation escalated with reports of tires being set on fire near a toll plaza situated outside Maputo, causing some infrastructural damage. The Trans African Concessions, responsible for the highway’s operations, has cautioned against any travel across the border until stability returns.

The unrest in Mozambique is a direct fallout from the contentious elections held on October 9, wherein the ruling party maintained its dominance for the 49th consecutive year. The official election results indicated that President Daniel Chapo received 71% of the total votes. However, the independent candidate Venâncio Mondlane, who secured second place, vehemently condemned the results as fraudulent, leading to calls for public demonstrations to assert the will of the electorate. The Constitutional Council has intervened, mandating electoral authorities to provide tally sheets from seven of the eleven constituencies for further verification.

The blockade of the N4 highway reflects widespread dissatisfaction with the recent electoral outcomes in Mozambique, ignited by allegations of fraud. The ongoing turmoil disrupts not only local transport but also the significant trade link to South Africa, highlighting the potential economic ramifications of the political unrest. Authorities are urged to restore calm and resolve the electoral disputes to ensure the movement of people and goods is not hindered.

Original Source: www.bnnbloomberg.ca