Somali-owned businesses in Mozambique have been affected by the violent unrest after the country’s top court upheld the contested victory of Frelimo party candidate Daniel Chapo in the October elections. Reports indicate looting incidents in cities such as Maputo and Nampula, where Somali traders lost amounts of merchandise.
Mohamud Abdulkadir Jama, a businessman in Nampula, described the situation, reporting that his warehouse was ransacked, with goods amounting to over one and a half containers stolen. He said, “Many Somali-owned shops in various markets were looted, and the losses are immense.”
The violence began after Mozambique’s Constitutional Council confirmed the election results on Monday, sparking protests by opposition groups alleging widespread fraud. Demonstrators took to the streets in cities across the country, leading to clashes and extensive property damage. At least 21 people have been killed in the unrest as authorities call for calm. Meanwhile, opposition leaders continue to demand accountability and transparency in the electoral process.
