The government acknowledged on Tuesday, April 14, “pressure” on fuel stations in the city of Maputo, in the south of the country, where long queues of motorists have been recorded in recent days amid fears of supply shortages and price increases due to the conflict in the Middle East.
“We have indeed been monitoring some pressure at fuel pumps. The information available indicates that fuel supplies are in place. At this stage, we cannot say how many days or weeks the product will last, but this is an issue being monitored daily at government level,” said Salim Valá, spokesperson for the weekly Council of Ministers meeting.
The official noted that fuel availability is a central concern for both society and the economy, directly affecting the country’s development. “Often, economic dynamics are driven by perceptions and expectations. What is communicated by the media can influence whether people rush to fuel stations or maintain normal behavior,” he warned.
The Council of Ministers spokesperson also recalled that Mozambique has not yet increased fuel prices, unlike several neighboring countries. “This is a possibility that may occur, as seen elsewhere. However, we will wait and manage this difficult moment, hoping that the situation in the Middle East stabilizes,” he added.
Recently, President Daniel Chapo warned of potential fuel price increases in the coming months if the conflict in the Middle East continues, while reassuring citizens that reserves are sufficient for the time being. “Perhaps by late April or early May, according to our estimates, we may begin to see price increases if the war continues. However, we still have about a month and a half of reserves,” he said.
Finance Minister Carla Loveira stated on March 25 that the government has €5.2 million available in a stabilization fund to help prevent a potential rise in fuel prices due to the Middle East conflict.
“This is a fund that has been used whenever crises of this nature occur. We previously faced the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which forced the country to use these resources due to the significant increase in fuel prices. At present, the fund stands at around €5.2 million,” she explained.
The United States and Israel launched a military strike against Iran on February 28, during which Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country’s supreme leader since 1989, was killed. In response, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz and carried out retaliatory attacks against targets in Israel, U.S. bases, and other infrastructure in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, is a key global energy route, accounting for around 20% of the world’s oil shipments and a significant share of liquefied natural gas traded by sea, according to data from U.S. and UN energy agencies.
Source: Diário Económico
