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South Africa closed its primary border crossing with Mozambique Wednesday, citing security concerns as violence escalated in Mozambique over last month’s disputed presidential election.
The Lebombo border post, located in Mpumalanga province, was shut down temporarily after reports of vehicles being set ablaze on the Mozambican side. The South African border authority, in an official statement, said the decision was made “in the interest of public safety” and confirmed that the port would remain closed until conditions stabilize.
The turmoil in Mozambique erupted following the official results of the October 9 election, which declared the ruling Frelimo party victorious. However, opposition supporters, led by presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, who came in second according to the official tally, have denounced the results as fraudulent. Mondlane’s supporters have taken to the streets, sparking a wave of protests that have claimed at least 18 lives, according to Human Rights Watch, though local rights groups have reported even higher fatalities.
The government’s response has been forceful. Security forces have deployed tear gas and live ammunition to disperse crowds, while internet access has been restricted, and officials have hinted at deploying the army to curb the unrest. Mozambique’s Defence Minister Cristovao Chume warned on Tuesday that any attempts to “seize power unlawfully” would be met with decisive military intervention.
As the protests surged, seven Mozambican officials reportedly sought refuge across the border in South Africa, citing concerns for their safety. Meanwhile, video footage posted on social media by a South African journalist captured the growing backlog of trucks stretching for kilometers, unable to cross due to the border shutdown.
The protests have intensified as they approach a planned march on Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, set for Thursday. Organized by Mondlane and opposition leaders, the march aims to challenge Frelimo’s longstanding rule. The Frelimo party, which has governed Mozambique since the country gained independence in 1975, has yet to respond to accusations of election fraud. Similarly, Mozambique’s electoral commission has remained silent, refusing to address public demands for a recount or independent verification of the results.
Critics have condemned the heavy-handed police response, with the Mozambican Centre for Democracy and Human Rights reporting 24 deaths due to police action. Human Rights Watch, while confirming 18 fatalities, expressed concerns that the actual death toll could be significantly higher. Mozambique’s Interior Minister defended the police response, asserting that security forces had no choice but to restore order in the face of what he described as “violent protests.”
The unrest has brought Mozambique to a pivotal moment, with opposition forces questioning the legitimacy of Frelimo’s continued rule and advocating for what they call a fair democratic process.
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