The U.S. Embassy in Maputo informs U.S. citizens of a series of confirmed attacks on commercial buses occurring from May 12-18 along the EN1 in the Murrotone area of Mocuba district of Zambezia province, resulting in at least one fatality and other casualties. On May 15, another commercial bus was attacked on the EN1 in the Zero area of southern Zambezia, and there have been other reports of armed violence involving government and opposition forces in the Mocuba and Morrumbala districts of Zambezia province from May 14-18. Anecdotal accounts suggest that attackers have fired on civilian vehicles after the vehicles did not stop when directed to do so by unidentified armed personnel manning road checkpoints. Other recent reports include the murder of the Samoa district administrator and his assistant in Tete province in their homes and the burning of their residences.
Due to heightened tension in these regions, the U.S. embassy recommends additional caution for all travel in aforementioned areas. At this time, no additional travel advisories, beyond what was outlined below on March 9, have been instituted; however, all travelers are advised to remain fully apprised of the situation before any travel. All previous travel advisories remain in effect.
From March 9
The U.S. Embassy in Maputo informs U.S. citizens of continued unrest in the central region of the country, including deadly clashes between Government of Mozambique forces and armed elements of leading opposition party Renamo in the provinces of Sofala, Manica, and the southern portion of Zambezia. There have been confirmed unattributed shooting incidents involving government and civilian vehicles in the region, most recently along the EN7 in Manica province and the EN1 in southern Zambezia province. The most recent shootings caused at least two fatalities and an unknown number of injuries involving passengers of a bus operated by Nagi Investmentos. The Embassy is also monitoring reports of clashes in eastern Tete province bordering Malawi. The Mozambican government now requires military escort for any vehicles traveling on the EN1 between the Save River and Muxungue, as well as between Nhamapadza and Caia.
For further information:
- See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information for Mozambique.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Contact the U.S. Embassy in Maputo in Maputo, located at 193, Avenida Kenneth Kaunda, and is open Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. You may also call 21-49-2797 during normal business hours, 84-306-6480 during after-hours.
- Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
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