Leider verschärft sich die Situation weiter und zwar massiv. Dieser Bericht stammt von einem südafrikanischen Experten aus der Gegend des südlichen Krüger-Parks, der mehrmals im Jahr nach Mosambik reist und mit Sicherheitsfragen beschäftigt ist. Ich habe seine Einschätzungen, die gerade im Web die Runde machen, soeben aus Maputo bestätigt bekommen.
Der Haupt-Grenzübergang Lebombo - Ressano Garcia ist erneut geschlossen!
The perfect storm - Mozambique December 2024
As you all know we are avid Moz lovers and travel to and from Moz regularly, approximately 6 times a year. Moz is our second home, litterally.
We have been closely monitoring the situation. Being in the risk industry and between Mark and I getting so many enquiries as to our opinion about the safety of travel in Moz, we thought to give voice to our opinion:
As you know on the 9th of Oct the Mozambiquens voted. During November it was announced that Frelimo won with 70%. There was a massive outcry of corruption by the population. Vanâncio the leader of Podemos the opposition party started with organised protest action.
A recount of the votes was ordered. On the 23rd of December the recount will be declared publicly.
Venâncio started protest action in phases during November.
At first it was rather peaceful, banging pots and singing the national anthem. Lebombo border was closed on a few occasions. Cell phone and internet signals were jammed by the government to hinder outside communication.
Currently the week long protest action is at phase 4x4.
This entails road closures from 8:00 - 16:00 but since Sunday the times have been escalated, there is no guarantee that the blockages will be cleared at 16:00. Frelimo buildings, government buildings and police offices are burned etc. Protestors and police are becoming more and more agressive with reports of severe violence. Lebombo border are completely blocked up for the last few days with no indication of improvement soon.
It is reported that Venâncio has survived a second assassination attempt. This is the proverbial petrol on fire scenario.
Well known Lodges opted to rather close for the foreseeable future as the safety concerns and risk to guests attempting to travel is too high.
Fuel and food shortages are imminent. We have already received reports that fuel is an issue in smaller towns.
The body count is currently just over 100 in accordance with reports.
On Sunday Venâncio posted a public statement where in he warned that phase Turbo V8 will be stepped up. He also mentioned there will be no Chrismas or New years celebrations, there will only be stepped up protests.
We are spending countless hours reading through reports and monitoring the situation in detail and have come to the following conclusions:
1. Currently the situation is very volatile and escalating. With an imminent Phase Turbo V8 on the horizon we can not see that passage will be safe and unhindered through Mozambique.
2. Chances are very good that you will get stuck, either on the road in a blockage or at your destination. Even though your passage there might have been unhindered, your passage back might not be.
3. The situation is clearly escalating in aggresion and volatility!
4. Lebombo border is a no go, Girriyondo an option but heavy protests at Chokwe and Chibuto and threats that Massingir might be closed. There is also a very strong criminal element in Massingir with a huge well known Rhyno poaching syndicate stationed there. How long before they use the opportunity to their benefit? Criminals will do what criminals do…
5. In the last 24 hours the situation has escalated severely and we can not see that it will become better soon.
6. Fuel and food is becoming an issue already and will only worsen.
7. We go on holiday with the idea of relaxing and spending quality time with our loved ones. Going to Moz this holiday will not have us relaxing nor will I see stressing about getting out safely as quality time.
8. We know Africa, we are all children of Africa and we know that the population gets swept up in protests. Protesters intimidate the rest of the population until they join in with protests and they sweep up each other to such a frenzy that there is no control or logical thinking. Do you want to be caught up in that?
9. Come 23 December with the results of the election there will be unhappiness. Whether Frelimo, that has been running the country and clinging onto power since 1975 or Pedimos that believe that they won. (Also remember since 1999 there has been clear reports that Frelimo through corruption has stolen each ellection- the population is gatvol). One thing is clear though, come 23 December the police and army will no longer sit on their hands as they have been moderately doing until now. There will be shooting and full out riots, and that is if it does not happen sooner. Force will meet force. I for one do not want to be in that situation.
10. Pre Saturday the feeling was that passage into Moz is quite safe and tourists are welcome. Sunday the opinions have drastically changed with lodges giving out statements and closing down. Also keep in mind that tourist and tourist destinations are great bargaining chips when it comes to civil unrest. By holding tourist hostage the world will watch in horror and people will have to listen. The more violence the more attention. Moz is quite renouned for kidnappings. Do we want to be collateral damage? I think not.
Each to their own and I know some people do not mind the risk. Good for them. Life is about making choices and living with the choices that you make.
For us the responsible choice and the only conclusion is to cancel our long awaited trip to Moz this year. Sad yes, very sad!
We do not want to put the kids through the trauma and our lives are much more precious than a holiday at the beach. Moz will be there, I am not quite sure in what state though but our lives are not replaceable.
I will rather regret not going and playing it safe but still have all my loved ones in tact than regret that we went after knowing the risk and perhaps loosing loved ones or worse coming back so traumatised that our kids innocence are lost.
You are welcome to make your own conclusions read through Drivemoz and listen to their Zello channel for live info.
Viele Grüße
Achim
