Rwanda has temporarily closed its embassy in Maputo in anticipation of protests planned by opposition groups in Mozambique. The embassy closure, announced by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, will last for two days—Wednesday and Thursday—due to concerns over potential unrest in the capital. Nduhungirehe advised Rwandans, particularly traders, to remain at home during this period to avoid any potential danger.
The protests, primarily driven by opposition groups accusing the ruling Frelimo party of electoral fraud in the October 9 presidential elections, have taken a more violent turn. There have been growing anti-Rwandan sentiments, particularly after allegations emerged that the Mozambican government had enlisted the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) to suppress the protests in Maputo. The RDF, which has been stationed in the northern Cabo Delgado province to combat insurgents, has denied these allegations. The European Union (EU), which supports the RDF’s mission in Cabo Delgado, has also refuted the claims, calling them “groundless” and urging all parties to refrain from spreading misinformation.
The protests, which have drawn international attention, have sparked similar demonstrations in other Lusophone countries, including Angola and Brazil. Southern Defenders, a network of civic society groups in southern Africa, has condemned the corruption, drug trafficking, and alleged elite ties to Frelimo as the underlying causes of the unrest in Mozambique.
In response to the growing tensions, diplomatic missions in Maputo, including the US, British, Canadian, Norwegian, and Swiss embassies, have called on the Mozambican government to exercise restraint. In a joint statement, they reaffirmed the right of the Mozambican people to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, while urging the authorities to allow demonstrations to occur peacefully. The diplomatic community also expressed hope that the country’s Constitutional Council would ensure transparency in the final stages of the electoral process.
As the situation unfolds, Mozambique’s government has threatened to deploy military forces to quell the unrest, increasing fears of further violence in the capital. The closure of Rwanda’s embassy highlights the growing international concern over the stability of Mozambique and the ongoing political crisis.