Thousands of Mozambicans have sought refuge in neighboring Malawi following months of violent unrest sparked by disputed presidential election results.
According to Dominic Mwandira, a senior official in Malawi’s Nsanje district, approximately 2,000 families have crossed the border since Monday. “They are arriving as families, and we have temporarily sheltered them in schools while making proper arrangements. The numbers are expected to rise,” Mwandira told Anadolu Agency.
Post-election violence has gripped Mozambique since the October 9 presidential polls, with reports of 248 fatalities, including 33 deaths during a large-scale prison break on Wednesday. More than 1,500 inmates escaped from Maputo Central Prison in Matola, a city located about 15 kilometers from the capital, with authorities confirming casualties during the incident.
The unrest erupted after Daniel Chapo of the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) was declared the winner, defeating opposition leader Venancio Mondlane. Mondlane, currently in exile, has rejected the election results, alleging widespread fraud. He has called on his supporters to protest and has vowed to assume the presidency on January 15.
The ongoing protests, which began in late October, have severely impacted Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, and the nearby city of Matola. Protesters have targeted gas stations, leading to fuel shortages that have exacerbated the crisis.
As the violence continues, international observers and neighboring countries remain deeply concerned about the stability of Mozambique and the safety of its citizens.