Transport disruption and heightened tensions marked the return of Mozambique’s opposition leader, Venancio Mondlane, to Maputo yesterday morning (January 9).
Mondlane fled the country following the contested October elections that sparked violent demonstrations in which 278 protesters have died so far, according to a monitoring report from Plataforma Decide.
Security company G4S received reports that access to the airport by road had been closed off. “Passengers arriving during the night (January 8) were forced to walk outside the premises to find transport,” the company said.
Mondlane’s return was met with a heavy police presence. Thousands of supporters gathered at the airport to welcome him, according to Reuters. Witnesses described tear gas being used to disperse the crowds, while snipers were spotted positioned on buildings near the airport.
An inbound tour operator in Mozambique confirmed the tense atmosphere. “Thankfully, he (Mondlane) was not arrested, which would have had disastrous consequences. But the situation is certainly tense.”
Airlink said flights between South Africa and Mozambique had not been impacted so far, but the airline was continuing to closely monitor the situation. G4S said that, with the exception of the airport area, the situation was generally calm in the city and province of Maputo, although a reduction in public transport was notable.
Owner of Mozambique Tours, Ricky Jacobs, said when it came to security concerns, the issue boiled down to the Maputo area, while other tourist areas, such as Inhambane, Vilanculos, Beira, Pemba and Nacala, remained completely safe.
He added that, even during the country’s civil war days, tourist destinations outside Maputo remained safe.
He said there might be a problem for people who were driving from Maputo if there happened to be unrest but that there were no issues for tourists who were flying.
Jacobs warned, however, that the situation was poised to change at a moment’s notice, depending on the actions and statements of political leaders. He said that, through his connections, he believed that Mondlane would make a statement following the inauguration of Daniel Chapo on January 15, which might cause demonstrations to start up again.
