South Africa and Mozambique have agreed to strengthen diplomatic and bilateral efforts to address trade and supply chain disruptions caused by post-election protests in Mozambique.
The unrest, which began in late October after Frelimo candidate Daniel Chapo was declared the winner of the October 9 elections with over 71% of the vote, has led to violent clashes. According to Human Rights Watch, at least 18 people have died.
Temporary closures at the Lebombo border post disrupted trade between the two countries, but the Border Management Authority (BMA) reported on Monday that operations had returned to normal. Cargo processing and traveler movements are now flowing smoothly as holiday traffic increases.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola and Mozambique’s Foreign Minister Pascoal Ronda met in Mpumalanga on Wednesday to discuss solutions. The meeting focused on minimizing disruptions at key ports of entry, including Lebombo and Ressano Garcia.
The ministers agreed to enhance communication channels, explore alternative trade routes, and deploy additional resources to speed up border processes. They also committed to securing infrastructure and addressing the economic impact of the disruptions, which have caused significant losses for businesses.
