Food and energy security in South Africa and Mozambique are at risk if the shared border remains closed and trade disruptions continue due to ongoing unrest in Mozambique, which has persisted for over two months, according to South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, and Mozambique's Minister of Interior, Pascoal Ronda.
"These disruptions have had a significant negative impact on the economies of both countries and the free movement of people and goods between our two countries," said a joint communique. "Many companies have suffered losses as a result of the disruption in trade. Should the situation persist, there is great danger of food and energy insecurity."
The ministers agreed to make additional efforts to prevent disruptions in the movement of people and goods across their shared border, which extends 491 km. There are six border checkpoints through which a significant portion of trade between the two countries passes. The largest checkpoint is at Lebombo.
Opposition protests began in Mozambique immediately after the electoral commission announced preliminary results of the presidential and parliamentary elections held on October 9. According to the results, the ruling FRELIMO party and its presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo, won.
The runner-up in the presidential elections, opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, refused to recognize the results published by the electoral commission and called for protests, including street blockades. In some areas, the protests were accompanied by disorder, including looting of shops and trucks, as well as attacks on industrial facilities.
Mozambique's Constitutional Council announced that the final election results will be released on December 23.