By Johnathan Paoli
South Africans have been urged not to travel Mozambique, which is experiencing growing unrest following its recent general election.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola expressed concern on Wednesday, as incidents of post-electoral violence have to led to casualties and damage to property.
“We regret the loss of lives and the destruction of property that has followed the recent elections. South Africa reiterates the call made by various leaders in Mozambique for law enforcement to swiftly investigate these incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Lamola said in a statement.
He said the South African government has urged all parties to exercise restraint and maintain calm to allow for the conclusion of the electoral process.
Amnesty International has reported that 20 people have died and hundreds more injured in the election-related protests.
Lamola emphasised the importance of giving Mozambique’s constitutional court the time and space it needed to validate the election results in line with its legal mandate.
The minister confirmed a telephone conversation with his Mozambican counterpart Verónica Macamo on Wednesday to discuss the evolving situation and steps needed to address the crisis.
In the meantime, the government has advised South Africans to postpone non-essential visits to the country until further notice, citing concerns for personal safety.
Lamola has welcomed the upcoming Southern African Development Community (SADC) Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit, scheduled for later this month in Zimbabwe, which will include a discussion on the political developments in the region, including the election aftermath in Mozambique.
The summit will bring together SADC Heads of State, who will receive reports on recent elections in Mozambique, Botswana, and Mauritius and will be preceded by consultations among senior officials and ministers from next week.
“The SADC leadership has shown its commitment to addressing the political instability in our region. We trust that the regional body will play a pivotal role in supporting Mozambique as it navigates these challenges and works to restore stability,” he said.
South Africa, as a key regional player, has pledged to continue working closely with SADC and other international partners to ensure the peaceful resolution of the current crisis and to support Mozambique’s democratic processes.
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