While your planned December holiday in Mozambique may be the one reason you’re still finding a way to power through the last month and a half of the year, the South African government is advising you to think twice before heading off this festive season.
The country of tropical beaches, coral reefs and warm seas is suffering the worst political violence to date since the end of its civil war in 1992. This, according to a report on eNCA Africa.
A peace treaty was declared in 1992, and Frelimo won the national elections in 1994. But since April this year, the opposition, Renamo, seems to have abandoned this treaty by carrying out attacks on civilians, police and army. To avoid the risk zone, the Put Foot Rally 2013 changed their route to avoid Mozambique in June. These attacks are happening far away from the beaches and areas that tourists visit, and are contained to the north-south highway on a 100km stretch between the Save River and the small town of Muxungue. Vehicles now travel in convoy through the area, escorted by the military.
One such attack took place in late October when a bus travelling alone was forced to a stop and gunmen looted the passengers’ possessions before setting the bus on fire. On Monday, 4 November, two attacks took place on the same stretch of road. According to AllAfrica.com, the first of the attacks occurred in the Zove region, six kilometres from Muxungue, and the target was a truck. The second attack was against a military vehicle.
The Mozambican mining giant, Rio Tinto, stated on Friday (1 November) that they are withdrawing the families of expat employees from Mozambique because of security concerns, but only temporarily.
According to the eNCA report, Renamo are ‘demanding that the ruling Frelimo party reform the electoral system and stop what they say is the abuse of state resources ahead of elections next year.’
Local tour operators say that South Africans aren’t cancelling their holidays and business is yet to be affected. Tourism seems to be continuing as normal.
Up until earlier this week, the South African government insisting that South Africans travelling to Mozambique should register at the Department of International Relations before travelling to insure speedy assistance in the event of an emergency.
But on Thursday morning (7 November) Tourism Update released a report stating that Mozambique is safe for travel. Although the situation in Sofala Province is tense, the clashes took place 300km away from lodges in Bazaruto, Benguerra, Vilanculos and Inhambane. In a report on Eye Witness news, the South Africa’s High Commissioner to Mozambique Charles Nqakula has assured South Africans who wish to travel to the country that it is stable.
Do you think the political conflict will have an impact on Mozambique’s tourism industry? Tell us in the comments section below.
