Mozambique Country Report
Mozambique is a developing country currently undergoing a democratic transition. The country’s political system is still dominated by the ruling Frelimo party, which faces constant pressure from opposition forces. Following the end of the civil war in 1992, armed groups aligned with Renamo’s main opposition contributed to the stabilization of several central and northern states, particularly during the period of heightened hostilities from 2013 to 2016. Renamo’s attacks on the militants have mainly taken the form of armed robberies, car ambushes on highways, and attacks on government interests in rural areas of the country’s central province, where the group enjoys strong support. Peace talks with the government since 2016 have seen a significant reduction in violence, and a permanent ceasefire was signed in August 2019, but some Renamo factions appear to oppose the peace deal, with clashes, ambushes, and armed robberies in some areas. Continue to destabilize. .
Since October 2017, the Muslim-majority north of Mozambique, particularly in Cabo Delgado province, has faced increasing attacks by allegedly radical Islamist security forces. Most of this violence is in the form of low-powered and small-scale attacks against remote villages in the districts of Mosimboa da Peria and Palma. The intensity of attacks increased between 2019 and 2020, and armed groups occupied the main urban areas of the state. In July 2021, international partners sent troops to Mozambique to assist local forces in retaking territory from militants. Despite the recent increase, the insurgency remains a significant threat to the province of Cabo Delgado, including in the oil and gas sector.
In addition to local political violence and the threat of terrorism, governments must deal with widespread corruption and weak rule of law. While ongoing pressure from key donor countries has seen improvements, Mozambique’s openness and political process remain under pressure as Frelimo seeks to maintain full control of the country amid growing pressure from rebel groups. Concerns remain.
The main threats to foreigners stem from widespread insecurity related to high levels of criminal activity, socio-economic discontent, and outbreaks of disease. Much of Mozambique’s infrastructure is underdeveloped compared to Western countries, especially in secondary road networks and health facilities.
Restrictions due to COVID-19
Officials have announced that travel restrictions related to the coronavirus will be lifted in April 2023, but international travelers are still subject to entry restrictions due to delays in implementation. Vaccinated travelers arriving by air must provide electronic proof of a completed vaccination schedule at least 14 days before arrival. Foreigners entering Mozambique without vaccination must provide a negative coronavirus PCR test taken within 72 hours of leaving the country. Children under 11 are exempt. For travelers arriving in Mozambique by land across the border, a negative test result is valid for seven days, allowing multiple entry or short-term return. If you test positive, or if you test negative, you must self-isolate for 7 days.
Last updated: July 6, 2023
Security
Violent and petty crime is common and widespread in Mozambique, and foreigners are often targeted because of their relative wealth. Travelers are likely to be the targets of robbery and petty theft, but criminals are usually armed with knives or firearms and often resort to violence if challenged or resisted. Although statistics on kidnappings in Mozambique are not reliable, kidnappings are believed to have increased significantly in recent years, and members of the South Asian community in the south of the country are particularly at risk.
Mozambique’s urban centers also experience relatively frequent violence stemming from a variety of socio-economic and political issues, and security forces are quick to resort to crowd-dispersal tactics in dealing with protests. They are often criticized.
Renamo rebel activity has decreased significantly since a ceasefire was declared in 2016, but sporadic and low-intensity activity continues in parts of Mozambique’s northern and central provinces, despite ongoing peace talks with the Frelimo government. Violence continues to be reported. However, attacks by Renamo fighters against the peace process pose a much lower threat than the violence during the escalation of the conflict between 2013 and 2016, mainly the theft of vehicles plying highways in remote areas. Although the peace process remains relatively weak, the Renamo leadership is currently working to demobilize and reintegrate its forces.
Efforts by the authorities to contain the insurgency of the Al-Sene and Jammu (ASWJ) extremist group in Cabo Delgado province continue. In July 2021, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) deployed the Standby Force Mission to Mozambique (SAMIM) to combat ASWJ. Coalition forces have retaken areas held by the militants, but ASWJ retains the ability to conduct sophisticated attacks in Cabo Delgado. While many aspects of the terrorist threat remain unclear, including the group’s origins, affiliation, ideology, and links to organized crime, the ongoing insurgency poses risks to investment in the region’s nascent oil and gas sector.
Last updated: May 9, 2022
Infrastructure
Regulatory oversight of Mozambique’s aviation sector has improved in recent years, with the country’s airline recently removed from an international blacklist. However, facilities at many airports are basic and safety on some domestic flights may be below international standards.
Driving conditions in the country are dangerous due to the poor quality of the road network and limited compliance with safety regulations, especially in rural areas. Driving standards are generally lower than in many Western countries and road accidents are common, posing a significant risk to those unfamiliar with the local driving environment. Long journeys by land can be particularly dangerous and require careful planning and in-country support.
Although Mozambique has invested in the country’s energy infrastructure and improved its electrification rate in recent years, major challenges remain. Development remains concentrated in large cities and regional centers, and many rural areas remain isolated. The country’s telecommunication infrastructure also remains underdeveloped, and access to the Internet faces problems due to high costs and low speeds.
Last updated: May 9, 2022
Environment
Mozambique has a tropical climate with a distinct rainy season from November to April, but much of the southern part of the country is dry. Major floods occur every year during the rainy season and often cause significant disruption to land travel. Mozambique is also prone to severe droughts, which can cause significant food security crises in rural areas.
Although the risk of munitions and unexploded landmines has decreased in recent years thanks to demining efforts by non-governmental organizations, mines remain a threat in some remote areas. The country is also located in a region of high seismic activity, and periodic earthquakes usually occur with weak to moderate intensity.
Last updated: March 15, 2022
Health and Medical
Malaria is endemic in Mozambique and vaccination is recommended for all travelers. Schistosomiasis, African sleeping sickness, dengue fever, tick-borne relapsing fever, brucellosis, and Rift Valley fever are also present, and outbreaks of cholera are relatively common. Maputo has several reputable hospitals, but the country’s medical facilities are very limited. Medical evacuation to South Africa is usually required for all major procedures and long-term treatment and can be very expensive. Although there are many pharmacies in Maputo and other urban areas, some prescription drugs are not widely available, especially in rural areas. Sanitary conditions in Mozambique are also far below Western standards, and tap water is not considered safe for consumption.
Last updated: February 24, 2022
Political
Despite intense and frequently violent clashes between Frelimo and Renamo, Mozambique has remained relatively stable through its ongoing democratic transition, with Frelimo centralizing power in Maputo and controlling the country’s political sphere. However, in recent years, the ruling party has gradually lost support to Renamo and the Mozambican Democratic Movement (MDM). The ruling party won a landslide victory in the last general election, securing a two-thirds majority in parliament and control of all 10 state governments, but widespread allegations of electoral fraud and irregularities forced Frelimo to step down. take over The company is ready to. For the first time after independence
Although pressure from major donors and international partners has led to improvements in Mozambique, corruption remains a serious problem affecting both the public and private sectors. Historically, the rule of law in this country has been weak and corruption problems have reached the judiciary, but the situation is improving.
Last updated: March 25, 2022
