Thousands of Mozambicans have fled to Malawi in the past week, escaping escalating post-election violence. The unrest erupted after Mozambique’s top court upheld the ruling Frelimo party’s victory in October’s elections, fueling widespread protests.
Mass Exodus Across Borders
Dominic Mwandira, commissioner for Malawi’s Nsanje district, confirmed that around 2,500 families had entered Malawi, with an estimated 11,000 individuals crossing the Shire River and an additional 2,000 via the Ruo River. Temporary shelters have been established to accommodate the influx of asylum seekers.
“The situation remains dire as these individuals urgently require humanitarian assistance,” Mwandira stated, noting that several government ministries have been placed on alert.
Widespread Violence and Disruption in Mozambique
Post-election violence has paralyzed major cities across Mozambique. Public transportation is at a standstill, businesses are shuttered, and incidents of looting and vandalism have surged.
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce reported that at least 150 commercial establishments had been ransacked. In Maputo, a riot at a prison led to the escape of over 1,500 inmates, leaving dozens dead.
According to Plataforma Decide, an electoral monitoring group, at least 134 people have died since the violence began on Monday.
Election Sparks Controversy
Mozambique’s Constitutional Council declared Frelimo’s Daniel Chapo the winner of the October 9 presidential election, securing around 65% of the vote. Opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane garnered 24%, according to official results.
The opposition and international observers, however, have decried the election as neither free nor fair. Protests intensified after Mondlane’s supporters clashed with police.
Humanitarian Crisis Looms
The sudden displacement of thousands has created a humanitarian crisis at Malawi’s southern border. Aid agencies are scrambling to provide food, water, and medical care as tensions remain high in Mozambique.
The international community has called for a resolution to the conflict to prevent further loss of life and displacement.
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