Violence around disputed election in October 2024 saw an estimated 300 people killed, and led to about
As the dust settles and the true cost emerges, Mozambican and Malawian officials have begun a drive to repatriate those who fled the violence.
What prompted the deadly violence?
The election saw from the ruling Frelimo party take over from outgoing President Filipe Nyusi, who was not allowed to run again after completing the two terms allowed by the constitution.
Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane claimed that the election was rigged, sparking massive protests across the country.
When Mozambique’s highest court, the Constitutional Council, confirmed Chapo’s victory — continuing the leftist party’s dominance of Mozambican politics since independence from Portugal in 1975 — the protests intensified.
Most refugees came to the Nsanje district in southern which is geographically surrounded by Mozambique.
While opposition politicians talked of fraudulent ballots and Mozambicans arrived in Malawi on foot, by boat or road, and had to shelter in displacement camps near small villages. Some had to cross the crocodile and hippopotamus infested rivers with their children on their backs.
Basic provisions such as food and medicines were in short supply. from other African nations, despite being ranked by the World Bank as one of the world’s poorest countries. The southern Africa nation is also battling poor harvests due low rainfall as a result of the weather phenomenon, and as the rainy season starts the risk of diseases like cholera and malaria rises.
Voluntary repatriation
Moses Mukandawire, a human rights activist and director of the Nyika Institute, a think tank, said Malawi had experience of dealing with Mozambican refugees before. During the Mozambican (1977-1992) many came to Malawi.
“The most important thing is to ensure that we have peace in Mozambique,” Mukandawire told DW.
“Given the experiences that we have had so far, particularly in the 1990s, it’s not first time for Malawi to host our brothers and sisters from Mozambique.”
Mukandawire said repatriation, which at this stage is carried out on a voluntary basis, is important for Mozambicans who have to attend to their crops in Mozambique.
“The moment they stay longer in Malawi, it means the problems might not be addressed in the immediate future, and they will not have much food for their families,” said Mukandawire.
According to him, the Mozambican government has assured Malawian officials that the refugees “are protected” when they return home.
“We need to have a fact-finding mission to relate the message and the commitment that has been made by the government of Mozambique and then see whether indeed those kind of commitments are met,” Mkandawire added.
However, it not just violence that refugees have fled — some have had their properties destroyed, their cattle stolen, their crops burned, or had relatives killed. For some, there’s nothing to go back to.
“Honestly, unless somebody goes there and assures them that there is relative peace back home, they won’t go. Others are not convinced,” Mkandawire told DW.
Insecurity and stagnant economy plagues Mozambique
“There is a need to restore economic stability, and to restore or create a favorable business environment,” economist Teresa Boene told DW, referring to Mozambique’s bleak economic prospects.
Mozambique’s post-election violence was a hammerblow to Mozambique’s economy, and will likely be felt for months. The country’s chamber of commerce has estimated that at least 1,000 businesses closed due to vandalism, looting, and disorder left in the wake of the unrest. The chamber estimates most businesses will never recover.
“We’ve had around 40% of our infrastructure destroyed by vandalism. At the moment we’re rehabilitating, we’re trying to get back on our feet, but there’s no money,” Aldemiro Eduardo, a business owner in Maputo, told DW.
An estimated €110 million in stock and infrastructure was lost and an estimated 17,000 people lost their jobs. Mozambique’s government has already reported losing over €600 million in tax revenue.
Edited by: Keith Walker
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