By Akani Nkuna
South Africa and Mozambique have agreed that both countries will endeavour to protect and secure the infrastructure to facilitate trade and continue to collaborate to ensure minimum disruption of people and goods over the border.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola and Mozambique’s Interior Minister, Pascoal Ronda, met in Malelane in Mpumalanga on Wednesday to discuss ways of maintaining regional stability and economic growth.
This follows ports of entry, particularly Lebombo, being impacted by post-election violence in Mozambique.
“The ministers agreed amongst others, to enhance channels for frequent and continues engagements at a diplomatic level of bilateral level to mitigate disruptions to trade and supply chains, jointly identify alternative routes and deploy additional resources to expedite and facilitate trade, and collaborate with all stakeholders particularly in business in order to limit the impact of the disruptions on their operations,” said Lamola.
He said that the meeting emphasised that disruptions at the border had severely affected the economies of both countries as the flow of people, goods and services was hindered.
“Many companies have suffered losses at as a result of the disruption in trade. Should the situation persist, there is great danger of food and energy insecurity,” he warned.
Ronda assured South Africa that the Mozambican government remained determined to prevent and minimise the impact of the protests on economic activity.
It would strive to create a stable environment that fostered uninterrupted trade and commerce.
“As far as the Maputo corridors is concerned, the governments have committed themselves to engage to work hand in hand to ensure that these disruptions that took place during the protestation will not take place again. The government will [take measures] to ensure that does not happen again,” he said.
Mozambican opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane has threatened that an escalation in demonstrations if the Constitutional Council does not declare him as the winner of the 9 October presidential elections.
On Tuesday, he called for a period of national mourning for those killed in violent post-election protests.
The Mozambican government said it was working at defusing the situation.
“As far as Venancio Mondlane is concerned, of course we have got actions that the government of Mozambique has put in place. His excellency, the president of Mozambique, has extended an invitation for a dialogue with leader Venâncio Mondlane… unfortunately (he) could not show up.
“However, we the government of Mozambique, still engage in finding ways to get solutions for these problems,” said Ronda.
Lamola said that South Africa was actively engaging with various stakeholders to find a solution that would restore peace and stability in Mozambique.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa is also in engagement in consultation with the current the president of Mozambique (Filipe Nyusi) about the situation and also the chairperson of SADC, President Emmerson Mnangagwa…,” Lamola said.
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