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General Protests: SADC Claims Instability Has ‘Damaged Regional Trade’

General Protests: SADC Claims Instability Has ‘Damaged Regional Trade’

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has said that the general demonstrations taking place in Mozambique in protest at the results of the 9 October elections have caused ‘major damage’ to several countries that depend on the Mozambican corridors for the import and export of goods.

Meeting recently to discuss the issue of ‘instability in Mozambique’, the organisation said that the protests had damaged regional trade, particularly in the energy and transport sectors, calling for unified action to restore peace and stability.

According to The Guardian, the meeting chaired by the President of Tanzania (also responsible for SADC), Samia Suluhu, was also attended by the Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema, the Malawian Foreign Minister, Nancy Gladys Tembo, and the SADC Executive Secretary, Elias Magosi.

According to the newspaper, SADC warned of the negative impact of the instability in Mozambique, emphasising that the situation threatens the socio-economic fabric of the southern African region and that cooperation between member states is needed to end the crisis.

In this sense, as a way of helping to end the post-election tension, the parties decided to create a joint body made up of SADC elders, members of the Mozambican government and opposition leaders, who should draw up a detailed report on the country’s scenario. This document should be presented by 15 January.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has also directed the Inter-State Defence and Security Committee to develop strategies to protect the main regional trade routes, humanitarian corridors and energy infrastructures.

‘SADC’s proactive approach reflects the urgency of stabilising Mozambique, a country whose crisis poses significant risks to the peace and economic stability of the region,’ he added.

Mozambique has been the scene of demonstrations organised by supporters of the opposition candidate, Venâncio Mondlane, who are contesting the results released by the Constitutional Council. Civil society organisations say that clashes between demonstrators and security forces have resulted in almost 300 deaths and around 600 injured.

The Constitutional Council (CC) proclaimed Daniel Chapo, the candidate supported by the ruling Mozambican Liberation Front (Frelimo), as the winner of the election for Mozambican President, with 65.17% of the votes, succeeding Filipe Nyusi in office, as well as the victory of Frelimo, which retained its parliamentary majority, in the general elections on 9 October.

The announcement sparked new chaos across the country, with pro-Venâncio Mondlane demonstrators – who won just 24 per cent of the vote – taking to the streets, setting up barricades, looting and clashing with the police, who have been firing shots in an attempt to restore order

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