Exports and imports through the Port of Maputo and a border post with South Africa have been disrupted amid post-election unrest in Mozambique.
Violence broke out last month after Daniel Chapo, candidate of the ruling Frelimo party, which has held power ever since independence in 1975, was declared the winner of presidential elections with 71 of the vote. Opposition groups allege that the polls were marred by widespread fraud. The Podemos party claims its candidate, Venncio Mondlane, actually won 53, while the EU observation mission said it had concerns regarding the transparency of the counting and tabulation process.
Unrest over the election result has led to disruption to trade and transport infrastructure, as Podemos and other opposition mobilise seek to protest the results. Many protests have spiralled into fighting between opposition supporters and security forces. Human Rights Watch reports that at least 30 people were killed between 19 October and 6 November.
Port operating company Grindrod announced on 7 November that it was suspending port and terminal operations at Maputo and the nearby facility at Matola, but resumed port operations a day later.
South Africa closed one of its largest border crossing points with Mozambique between 6-11 November, after receiving reports that vehicles were being attacked on the Mozambican side of the Lebombo border post. Large queues of trucks were reported on 13 November. While the crossing point is now open, the South African government is still advising citizens to postpone non-essential travel to Mozambique until further notice.
