ZAMBÉZIA, Mozambique
Mozambique’s relief agency, the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD), has announced that the repatriation of over 7,000 people who fled to neighboring Malawi as a result of post-election tension began on Wednesday.
These refugees are from the
districts of Morrumbala and Milange, in the central province of Zambézia, and
from Mutarara and Dôa districts, in the neighbouring province of Tete.
Mass demonstrations, called by
the former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane in order to protest against
the fraudulent results of the general elections held last October, began
peacefully but then degenerated into rioting, including the destruction of
public and private property, road blockades and the looting of stores.
According to César Tembe,
director of INGD Department of Prevention and Mitigation, the government’s
decision to repatriate these people was prompted by assurances that security
conditions had been created in their areas of origin.
“Before the repatriation,
there will be a series of procedures to be followed. Those repatriated will
receive a basic food basket for the next three months”, said Tembe, interviewed
by Radio Mozambique.
He added that the launch of
the repatriation mission will be headed by the interior minister, Paulo
Chachine, Mozambique’s High Commissioner in Malawi, Alexandre Manjate, and
officials from both countries’ relief agencies, among other defense and security
bodies.
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