---
title: "SADC mandates Panel of Elders to engage with Mozambique over post-election unrest"
description: "The SADC Panel of Elders is expected to report back to the the SADC organ troika chairperson before Wednesday, 15 January on its engagements with Mozambican authorities and opposition leaders."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "TROUBLED NEIGHBOUR"
author: "Victoria O’Regan"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/victoria-oregan-3-2-2/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-01-06-sadc-mandates-panel-of-elders-to-engage-with-mozambique-over-post-election-unrest/"
published: "2025-01-06T21:58:39"
updated: "2025-01-06T21:58:43"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 1115
---

# SADC mandates Panel of Elders to engage with Mozambique over post-election unrest

> The SADC Panel of Elders is expected to report back to the the SADC organ troika chairperson before Wednesday, 15 January on its engagements with Mozambican authorities and opposition leaders.

By Victoria O’Regan · Published 6 January 2025, 23:58 SAST · Updated 6 January 2025, 23:58 SAST

## Key points
- In a virtual summit, SADC leaders have dispatched their Panel of Elders to mediate the escalating chaos in Mozambique, where post-election protests have turned the streets into a battleground and the ruling party is clinging to power.
- SADC leaders mandate the Panel of Elders to engage with Mozambique's government and opposition amid escalating post-election violence.
- Ongoing protests and unrest in Mozambique follow disputed October 2024 elections, with at least 252 fatalities reported.
- The UNHCR warns of a humanitarian crisis as over 3,000 refugees flee to Malawi and Eswatini due to the violence.
- South Africa, feeling the economic impact, calls for urgent dialogue to resolve the crisis and restore stability in Mozambique.

## Content

Regional leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have instructed the bloc’s Panel of Elders to engage with the Mozambican government and key opposition leaders on the post-election unrest in Mozambique.

Mozambique is reeling from violence and disruptive protests following its [disputed elections](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2024-11-07-mozambiques-uprising-triggered-by-rigged-elections-corruption-and-poverty/) in October 2024.

The leaders discussed the crisis in the southern African nation during a virtual summit of the SADC organ troika, which deals with security crises in the region, on Sunday, 5 January.

![President-elect of Mozambique Daniel Chapo (centre) greets people in Maputo, on 23 December 2024 after the country’s Constitutional Council proclaimed Chapo, the Frelimo-backed candidate, as the winner of the presidential election. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Luisa Nhantumbo)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/wFLgM5l0TERw3hD5LM1lxiS64W4=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12706202.jpg)

*The president-elect of Mozambique, Daniel Chapo, meets members of the public in Maputo on 23 December. (Photo: Luisa Nhantumbo / EPA-EFE)*

The organ was chaired by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera, the other members of the troika, attended the meeting, as did Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi and SADC executive secretary Elias Magosi.

In mandating the bloc’s Panel of Elders to facilitate engagements between Mozambican government authorities and opposition leaders, the leaders went further than Hassan had [in a statement she issued](https://www.sadc.int/latest-news/statement-her-excellency-dr-samia-suluhu-hassan-president-united-republic-tanzania-1) on the festering crisis in Mozambique on Tuesday, 31 December. In that statement, Hassan had called for all parties to “exercise restraint and refrain from actions that escalate violence and unrest”, and said the SADC was ready to assist in facilitating a resolution to the unrest.

The [communiqué from Sunday’s summit](https://www.sadc.int/latest-news/sadc-holds-organ-troika-summit-post-election-political-and-security-situation-republic) said the SADC had instructed its Panel of Elders to intervene and report back to the chairperson of the organ by Wednesday, 15 January 2025.

The leaders also directed the inter-state defence and security committee “to propose measures to protect the regional trade routes, humanitarian corridors, and energy supplies while finding solutions to the political and security challenges in the Republic of Mozambique,” according to the communiqué.

**Read more:**[Mozambique opposition vows to lead ‘spearhead’ protests](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2025-01-05-mozambique-sa-losing-regional-ground-as-fresh-protests-loom/)

> 𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗶𝗸𝗮 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁-𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝘇𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲… [pic.twitter.com/mpB74vQfD7](https://t.co/mpB74vQfD7)
>
> — SADC Secretariat (@SADC\_News) [January 4, 2025](https://twitter.com/SADC_News/status/1875620040286073188?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

In her opening statement, Hassan said the SADC region could “not afford to turn a blind eye to what is happening” in Mozambique, “especially when it directly impacts the socio-economic fabrics of our societies”.

There have been [ongoing protests](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-11-08-mozambique-maputo-is-like-a-warzone-says-activist/) in Mozambique since the October 2024 legislative and presidential elections, which were marred by accusations of vote rigging. Mozambican electoral authorities declared the ruling Frelimo party and its presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo, as comfortable winners, but opposition candidate Venâncio Mondlane and his Podemos party insisted that he had won.

![A military vehicle patrols the streets following protests in Maputo, Mozambique, on Friday, 29 November 2024. (Photo: Kang-Chun Cheng / Bloomberg via Getty Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/IJdTi0yrLbih5DFMfpgb_A_hK5U=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2186808573.jpg)

*A military vehicle patrols the streets following protests in Maputo, Mozambique on Friday, 29 November 2024. (Photo: Kang-Chun Cheng / Bloomberg via Getty Images)*

On Monday, 23 December, Mozambique’s [Constitutional Council validated the electoral count](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-12-23-riots-erupt-after-mozambiques-constitutional-council-upholds-frelimos-victory-in-presidential-elections/) and Frelimo’s win, triggering a fresh wave of violence in the country.

Frelimo, in power since Mozambique’s independence from Portugal in 1975, has responded to the demonstrations with violence and a throttling of internet access. At least 252 people have been killed during the demonstrations since the polls, according to a [Reuters report](https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/mozambicans-flee-neighbouring-malawi-amid-post-election-unrest-2024-12-27/).

**Read more:**[More than 1,500 escape from Mozambican prison after riot that left 33 dead](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-12-26-more-than-1500-escape-from-mozambican-prison-after-riot-that-left-33-dead/)

The SADC summit between regional leaders on Sunday comes as neighbouring countries continue to feel the impact of the violent unrest. In a [statement](https://www.unhcr.org/news/press-releases/thousands-displaced-post-election-unrest-grips-mozambique) issued on Tuesday, 31 December, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said more than 2,000 people had fled Mozambique into neighbouring Malawi while another 1,000 had fled to Eswatini as a result of the unrest.

“We are deeply alarmed by the ongoing situation in Mozambique, where escalating violence has forced thousands to flee. Refugees and civilians are facing immense risks, losing their livelihoods and relying on humanitarian assistance,” said Chansa Kapaya, UNHCR’s regional director for southern Africa.

The UN agency said the situation in Malawi and Eswatini was “becoming critical, with the rising number of refugees and asylum seekers straining already overstretched resources”.

#### **South African envoy**

The crisis in the southern African nation has big economic and social implications for South Africa and the region. South Africa is Mozambique’s largest trading partner in the SADC region.

In November, SA [temporarily closed](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-11-06-south-africa-closes-main-border-with-mozambique-as-post-election-protests-escalate/) the Lebombo port of entry, its main border crossing with Mozambique, over security concerns after protests escalated. The Road Freight Association said the disruptions at the ports of entry cost South Africa R10-million a day.

After the Constitutional Council’s ruling on the validity of the electoral count, the South African National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints) [stepped up operations](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-12-29-sa-safety-and-security-structure-intensifies-operations-at-border-with-mozambique/) on the South Africa-Mozambique border amid fresh protests.

**Read more:**[SA and Mozambique in pact to ‘mitigate disruption’ at ports of entry after trade plummets](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-12-18-sa-and-mozambique-in-pact-to-mitigate-disruption-at-ports-of-entry-after-trade-plummets/)

South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola, in a statement after the council’s proclamation, called for an urgent dialogue among all parties to resolve the unrest to “heal the country and set it on a new political and developmental trajectory”.

Lamola said SA was “ready to assist Mozambique in any manner to facilitate this dialogue”.

![Demonstrators block an avenue during a post-election protest in Maputo on 6 December 2024. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Luisa Nhantumbo)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/o2hT-KC19chxvUceBW8QVl-J2bE=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/12671944.jpg)

*Demonstrators block an avenue during a post-election protest in Maputo on 6 December 2024. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Luisa Nhantumbo)*

On Friday, 27 December, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s envoy, national security adviser Sydney Mufamadi, met Nyusi in Maputo for talks on the growing crisis.

According to a press statement issued by Nyusi’s government, Mufamadi had “brought a message of solidarity on behalf of the South African government and people”.

**Read more:**[SA safety and security structure intensifies operations at border with Mozambique](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-12-29-sa-safety-and-security-structure-intensifies-operations-at-border-with-mozambique/)

The conversation focused on the “serious situation” in Mozambique, and the impact of the violence on the “interconnected economies” of Mozambique and South Africa, according to the statement.

“President Ramaphosa’s envoy has emphasised the importance of joint efforts to alleviate the burden posed by this situation and identify peaceful and sustainable solutions,” it continued.

On Monday, South African Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told Daily Maverick that engagements with the Mozambican authorities were ongoing.

#### **Mondlane’s return to Mozambique**

Mondlane [vowed on Sunday to return to Mozambique](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2025-01-05-mozambique-sa-losing-regional-ground-as-fresh-protests-loom/) to lead a fresh wave of demonstrations as the country prepares to swear in Chapo on Wednesday, 15 January. Mondlane had previously fled Mozambique after the October elections and is in hiding over security fears.

He said he was returning to implement the last phase of “spearhead” demonstrations.

Mondlane told supporters in a Facebook Live broadcast at the weekend that he would be at Maputo’s Mavalane airport on Thursday morning, 9 January.

“I invite the Mozambican people to come and welcome me at Maputo International Airport. I invite the President of the Republic, government institutions and civil society to attend my reception,” said Mondlane.

“My return is to put an end to the crimes Frelimo has been committing. This is our country. Save Mozambique,” he said. **DM**