Mozambique: Traffic between Nampula and Cabo Delgado once again interrupted – AIM report

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Mozambique: Traffic between Nampula and Cabo Delgado once again interrupted – AIM report

6:30 CAT | 21 Apr 2025

Photo: Radio Comunitaria de Monapo

The bypass near the bridge over the Monapo River, between the northern provinces of Nampula and Cabo Delgado, along Mozambique’s main north-south highway (EN1), has collapsed once again less than a week after it had been supposedly completed.

The construction work on the temporary bypass took place after the main bridge was destroyed by cyclone Jude in March. The bypass cost the state coffers 700 million meticais (10.9 million dollars at the current exchange rate). The construction work was undertaken by a Chinese contractor.

The new bypass was swept away by the fury of the Monapo River four days after it was opened. The bypass stood above the river, but was not protected against any sudden rise in the level of the water – which should not have been surprising, since the rainy season is not yet over.

The traffic on the temporary bypass was only in one direction at a time, in order to avoid congestion and road accidents. This minimum precaution was clearly inadequate.

In a recent statement, the National Roads Administration (ANE) had said that work is underway on the final configuration of the bridge over the River Monapo. But now everything is back to square one.

Source: AIM