The restrictions at the border are due to the complex situation in Mozambique due to a general strike and protests called by presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane last Thursday, which have already lasted a week.

Venâncio Mondlane came in second place, with 20,32% of the votes, in the October 09 elections, according to the results announced by the National Elections Commission (CNE) of Mozambique, contested by the opposition.

Mondlane does not recognize the official election results and called, this Tuesday, from an unknown location, for marches in all provinces of the country to culminate in a rally in the Mozambican capital, Maputo, on November 07.

"Movements at the border were normal today , but we are on high alert for any disruptive situation that may arise."

The spokesperson for the South African government agency, Mmemme Mogotsi, highlighted.

According to the Mozambican Interior Minister, Pascoal Ronda, Mondlane is " commanding ," from South Africa, the " manipulation of public opinion ," inciting violence.

The results announced by the CNE gave victory to the candidate of the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO, in power since 1975), Daniel Chapo, with 70,67% of the votes and a reinforcement of the party's parliamentary representation.

The current largest opposition party in the country, Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO), has called for the annulment of the vote. The Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), which supported presidential candidate Lutero Simango, also rejected the election results, considering them " rigged ," and today around 40 opposition parties, mostly from outside parliament, have joined the protest.

The Mozambican government warned the population today that it " does not want a repeat " of the near-total shutdown that occurred over three days last week, during the first wave of protests called by Mondlane, guaranteeing the safety of businesses after a meeting with employers in the Mozambican capital.

Last Sunday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa congratulated Daniel Chapo as the " President-elect " of Mozambique and " his party, FRELIMO ," based on preliminary election results, while expressing concern about post-election violence across the country.

“Likewise, President Ramaphosa applauds the CNE for the professional manner in which it conducted the elections.”

The South African presidency highlighted in a statement.

The President of the Republic of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, this week criticized presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane for declaring himself the winner of the elections while the vote count was still underway and warned of the consequences of the escalation of violence in the country.

Presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane's lawyer, Elvino Dias, and Paulo Guambe, head of the "Podemos" party that supports Mondlane, were shot dead in the center of the capital, Maputo, on the 18th, leading to the call for a strike, initially made by Mondlane, evolving into a call for street demonstrations.

Picture: © 2024 Luísa Nhantumbo