South Africa has announced the suspension of truck traffic at the Lebombo border crossing with Mozambique, starting Tuesday, due to rising security concerns in the region. The suspension comes as Mozambique grapples with widespread protests and political unrest following a disputed presidential election. The announcement underscores the ongoing instability in the neighboring country, which has raised alarm for neighboring nations reliant on cross-border trade.
The unrest began in late October, when Mozambique’s electoral authority declared Daniel Chapo, the ruling Frelimo party’s candidate, the winner of the presidential election. His victory, however, has been clouded by serious allegations of electoral fraud and rigging. These claims have ignited violent protests, leading to confrontations between demonstrators and security forces.
On Monday, Mozambique’s Constitutional Council upheld the election results, affirming Chapo’s victory and solidifying the Frelimo party’s continued hold on power after more than 50 years of governance. The ruling, while validating the election outcome, has not been enough to quell public dissatisfaction, and tensions remain high across the country.
In response to the unrest, South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) announced that truck traffic through the Lebombo border will be suspended until further notice. “We will lift the suspension only when we are assured that the corridor is fully protected by both the military and police forces on the Mozambican side,” said Mike Masiapato, Commissioner of the BMA, in a statement to the media.
The suspension is significant as the Lebombo crossing is the primary trade route between South Africa and Mozambique, facilitating the movement of goods, including critical supplies, between the two countries. Despite the truck ban, small vehicles and pedestrians will still be allowed to cross, although the ongoing violence and political instability are expected to impact the overall flow of traffic.
The South African government had already temporarily closed the Lebombo crossing last month due to the escalating violence in Mozambique. The move to suspend truck traffic is a direct response to the continuing insecurity, which has disrupted trade and raised concerns about the safety of both travelers and goods.
While the political situation in Mozambique remains volatile, the suspension of truck traffic marks a further tightening of border controls. The disruption in trade is expected to affect businesses in both countries, with ripple effects across the region as supply chains are affected. The situation is likely to remain fluid, with South Africa signaling that the closure could last until the security situation improves.
As South Africa monitors the situation closely, the broader international community remains watchful of the developments in Mozambique, where the election crisis continues to challenge the country’s democratic stability and the region’s economic ties.