Movement at Mozambique’s borders increased by 40% between November 27 and December 3, compared to 2020, associated with the approaching Christmas and New Year’s season, the National Migration Service announced.
“44,958 travellers of various nationalities crossed the national crossing points” with 22,671 entries and 22,287 exits, “compared to 32,304 in the same period of 2020,” reads a statement from Senami cited by the Mozambique Information Agency (AIM).
The figures reflect a pattern of movement of Mozambican migrants during this time of year, as well as a resumption of movement after the first year of restrictions related to the prevention of the covid-19 pandemic.
The authority that controls Mozambique’s borders has announced more capacity, with “more service counters, reinforcement of staff and material resources”.
It also plans to extend the opening hours of the Ressano Garcia and Ponta do Ouro crossing points, the busiest on the Mozambican border with South Africa, and Machipanda, on the border with Zimbabwe.
