Mozambique: Cabo Delgado reopens seven border posts with Tanzania

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Mozambique: Cabo Delgado reopens seven border posts with Tanzania

4:06 CAT | 25 Oct 2023

FILE - For illustration purposes only. [File photo: AIM]

The National Migration Service (SENAMI) says that seven out of the nine crossing points between Cabo Delgado province in northern Mozambique and Tanzania have reopened after a two-year closure stemming from terrorist attacks in the province.

The border posts are located in the districts of Mueda, Nangade, Palma and Mocímboa da Praia, on the land and sea borders with the Republic of Tanzania.

SENAMI spokesperson for Cabo Delgado Ivo Sampanha recalled that the border posts in Namatil, Negomano, Ngapa, Namoto, Nangade-Sede, Palma and the town of Mocímboa da Praia were forced to close as a result of the intensification of attacks terrorists in the region.

The reopening for migratory movement, according to a ‘Notícias’ report, results from the successful persecution of terrorists by the Defence and Security Forces (FDS), assisted by forces from Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which has created conditions for the safe return of residents.

Sampanha noted that the measure is boosting crossings between the two countries, with an average of 4,000 people crossing the border per month, compared to around 3,000 in previous years

According to the same source, before the security situation improved, movement at these posts was almost non-existent.

Sampanha reported that the terrorists had vandalised border post infrastructure, and “at this moment they have not yet been rehabilitated, but we were forced to resume operations due to pressure from the population of the two countries”.

The SENAMI spokesperson indicated that in Namoto, where the largest flow is recorded, more than 1,500 people cross per day. “This post was the last to be reopened, and we believe that the number could increase in the coming months,” he added.

Sampanha guaranteed that strong security measures were in place at the border crossings between the two countries, and the defence and security forces of Mozambique and Tanzania had adopted a unique control model to prevent the movement of travellers linked to terrorists, who have been operating in some districts of Cabo Delgado since the end of 2017.

Regarding the entry of illegal immigrants, he noted that, in the last three years, the flow in Cabo Delgado had fallen off significantly, due to the deterioration of security with the operation of terrorist groups in this part of the country, and the tight control of authorities.

“However, we have repatriated a significant number of illegal immigrants, foreign citizens who entered and/or remained in the national territory illegally, including those who exceeded their authorised duration of stay,” he explained.

Source: AIM