Amid post-election turmoil, Mozambicans escape to neighboring Malawi

As dozens of people were reported slain in escalating turmoil over a disputed election in October, Malawian officials announced that more than 2,000 Mozambican families had sought asylum in Malawi this week.

Following a violent prison riot and breakout on Wednesday, certain businesses, including banks, were closed in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, on Friday. Additionally, patrols were established in some locations.

Violent demonstrations have engulfed Mozambique for about two months since the electoral commission declared that the Frelimo party, which is in power, had won the election and that its candidate had won the president. Opposition claims of electoral fraud are refuted by Frelimo.

More protests were sparked Monday when Mozambique’s Constitutional Council decided to certify the election results.

According to monitoring organization Plataforma Decide, there have been 125 fatalities since the court’s ruling and 252 since late October.

According to a top Malawian official, 2,182 Mozambican homes escaping the violence had entered Malawi’s neighboring Nsanje region as of Wednesday.

“The situation remains dire as these individuals urgently require humanitarian assistance,” Dominic Mwandira, the district commissioner of Nsanje, said in a letter to the nation’s refugee commissioner that Reuters read.

Main opposition leader Venancio Mondlane of Mozambique, who the Constitutional Council claims finished second in the presidential race and who disagrees with the outcome, has called for greater rallies from his followers but warned them not to destroy infrastructure or plunder.

The instability has had an impact on international enterprises that operate in Mozambique, such as the petrochemical company Sasol (SOLJ.J), the mining companies Gemfields Group (GEMGE.L), and South32 (S32.AX).

According to a statement released on Friday, Gemfields’ largest ruby mine in Mozambique temporarily suspended operations on Tuesday due to violent occurrences that occurred close to the site.

According to the report, around 200 individuals had tried to enter a mine worker’s residence and set buildings on fire. Two persons were shot and killed by Mozambican security personnel, according to Gemfields.

During the Christmas Day prison uprising in Maputo, about 1,500 inmates escaped before some were apprehended, and at least 33 people were killed.

Mozambique has been governed by Frelimo since the battle against Portuguese colonial authority ended in 1975. According to Western observers, the election this year was not free and fair.