– Local business leaders call for the introduction of military escorts as the post-election crisis persists
By Ricardo Dias
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – Major international companies operating in Mozambique have met with President Filipe Nyusi to request strengthened security measures.
The meeting took place days after the main camp of one of Mozambique’s largest mining companies, Kenmare, was invaded by demonstrators supporting fugitive presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, forcing the company to adopt measures to support the local community.
According to Agostinho Vuma, president of the Mozambican Confederation of Business Associations (CTA), at the meeting with Nyusi, held on Monday at the presidential office, the business leaders threatened to suspend their activities by invoking the force majeure clause due to security concerns.
“We have some multinationals that are in the process of declaring force majeure,” Vuma told journalists on Tuesday in Maputo.
A potential declaration of force majeure by key companies operating in Mozambique would have devastating effects on the economy, which is heavily reliant on mega-projects based on foreign investment.
In light of the growing insecurity, Mozambique’s largest business association has urged the government to introduce military escorts to safeguard assets in transit through the country’s main port corridors.
Military escorts were previously implemented in Mozambique during attacks carried out by the former rebel movement Renamo along the main north-south highway (EN1), about a decade ago.
“We have been assured that security will be provided along the route, just as it was in the central region during other election-related conflicts when there were blockades and escorts. We have requested that this model be applied across all corridors in the country,” Vuma said.
During the meeting with Nyusi, a study outlining the impact of the disruptions on the economy and proposing financial, fiscal, labour, administrative, and security measures was presented.
The CTA stated that the tourism, hospitality, logistics, and service sectors are the most affected by the roadblocks caused by the protests called by Mondlane.
According to the CTA, this year’s economic growth projections, initially forecast at 5%, are expected to drop to 3%, a figure corroborated by the Bank of Mozambique.
Over the past week, the so-called “4×4” phase of Mondlane’s riots has been in effect, characterised by the interruption of access routes, particularly in major cities and main roads, such as the Maputo, Beira, and Nacala port corridors, as well as EN1.
Demonstrators along National Road Number 4, which connects the Port of Maputo to the main land border with South Africa, have been blocking lorries from travelling for the past 72 hours, causing a 20-kilometre-long queue of trucks.
Venâncio Mondlane called for the protests in response to the election results announced by the National Electoral Commission (CNE), which attributed 70% of the votes to the ruling Frelimo Party and its presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo.
The Constitutional Council, the country’s highest body in matters of electoral law, is expected to confirm the results before Christmas, but the economic and security situation is deteriorating by the day and could worsen further with the official announcement confirming Frelimo’s victory on the current figures.
Post-election violence has already claimed 100 lives, over 200 injuries, and resulted in the detention of thousands. Several Frelimo party offices, police stations, and electoral commission buildings have also been set on fire.
The disruption of access routes is also hindering the movement of cash to supply commercial banks, which could create a perception of liquidity shortages. (RD)
