South Africa closed its border with Mozambique on Thursday after post-election violence escalated in Mozambique, leading to violent clashes between protesters and police, with at least 20 deaths and hundreds injured since late October, according to Amnesty International, AP said.
The border closure came shortly after it had reopened earlier on Thursday to allow some vehicles to pass. However the situation worsened when protesters looted border facilities and crossed over to seek refuge in South Africa, leading to another closure.
The protests, fueled by opposition leaders and supporters disputing the results of Mozambique’s October 9 elections, have seen violent confrontations in the country’s capital, Maputo.
The ruling socialist Frelimo party won the election, extending its 49-year rule, but opposition groups, including Venancio Mondlane’s party, claim the election was rigged. Mondlane, who came in second, fled the country after his aides were killed.
South Africa’s Border Management Agency closed the border after 15 Mozambican employees sought refuge, citing looting and the approaching protests. Mike Masiapato, head of the agency, described the situation as “dire,” with protesters damaging infrastructure and stealing equipment.
South African authorities have called for calm, expressing concern over the violence and loss of life, while human rights organizations have condemned the government’s harsh crackdown on protesters, calling it the worst in years.
Mozambique’s government has threatened to deploy the military to suppress the unrest, accusing demonstrators of trying to overthrow a democratically elected government. The outcome of the election is still being verified by the country’s Constitutional Council.