Joseph Isangura
Tanzanian authorities have dismissed reports of Mozambicans fleeing into the country despite escalating violence in Mozambique following disputed elections.
Officials confirmed that no refugees have crossed the southern border, even as neighboring Malawi continues to see a significant influx of displaced families.
According to Malawian officials, more than 2,000 Mozambican families have sought refuge in Malawi over the past week alone. The surge follows weeks of violent protests sparked by the controversial results of Mozambique’s October elections, which declared the ruling Frelimo party victorious.
The unrest has reportedly claimed dozens of lives, with tensions reaching a peak in the capital, Maputo, where businesses, including banks, were forced to close on Friday. Security forces heightened patrols after a deadly prison riot earlier in the week, during which over 1,500 inmates escaped, further exacerbating the turmoil.
For over two months, Mozambique has been gripped by widespread protests, with opposition groups accusing Frelimo of electoral fraud. The ruling party, which has held power since Mozambique’s independence in 1975, denies the allegations.
In Tanzania, officials have reassured the public that the situation along the southern border remains stable. Speaking from the border region, Mtwara Regional Commissioner Colonel Patrick Sawala confirmed that no refugees had entered the country.
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“I have no information regarding Mozambicans crossing into Tanzania,” Col. Sawala said. “Mtwara residents are safe and continuing with their daily activities. Should there be any developments, they will be communicated promptly.”
The Mtwara and Ruvuma regions, which share Tanzania’s southern border with Mozambique, remain peaceful, according to local authorities. The border is delineated by the Ruvuma River, a natural boundary between the two nations.
Last week, Ruvuma Regional Commissioner Col Ahmed Abbas Ahmed echoed the same assurance, stating that no refugee crossings had been recorded in his jurisdiction.
As violence continues to grip Mozambique, Tanzania remains on alert while emphasizing the safety and normalcy of life along its borders. Meanwhile, the situation in Malawi underscores the severity of Mozambique’s crisis, as thousands of displaced families seek safety and stability amid the unrest.
Observers continue to monitor the region closely, with calls for peace and political resolution in Mozambique growing louder.
