VZCZCXRO5598
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHTO #0546 1621502
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 101502Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY MAPUTO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8981
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0186

UNCLAS MAPUTO 000546 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM SMIG PREF MZ ZM
SUBJECT: SPILLOVER EFFECTS OF ZIMBABWE CRISIS 
 
REF: A) MAPUTO 371 B) MAPUTO 379 C) STATE 35430 
 
¶1. (U) The crisis in Zimbabwe continues to have political, 
economic, and humanitarian spillover effects on Mozambique. 
While the Mozambican government (GRM) denies that Zimbabwean 
refugees enter Mozambique, NGOs paint a different picture. 
Border controls at the Machipanda crossing at the Zimbabwe 
border are adequate, but the GRM does not have the resources 
to monitor crossings through the neighboring mountains, which 
include well-known paths created during Zimbabwe's struggle 
for independence and the subsequent civil war in Mozambique. 
Local officials in Chimoio and Manica confirm that most 
Zimbabweans looking to stay in Mozambique would use these 
paths vice the official border crossing.  Police recently 
arrested 45 Zimbabweans in Chimoio for residing illegally in 
Mozambique.  According to a press report, the Red Cross 
Director for Southern Africa that an estimated 5,500 
Zimbabweans had left South Africa during the xenophobic 
violence for Mozambique rather than return to Zimbabwe. 
 
¶2. (U) A group of approximately 30 Zimbabweans living in 
Maputo recently formed an NGO with the express intent of 
seeking out Zimbabwean refugees in Mozambique, lobbying and 
advocating on their behalf, and providing humanitarian 
assistance.  This newly-created International Relief Services 
(IRS) has established small operations centers in Manica, 
Tete, and Gaza provinces, the three provinces which border 
Zimbabwe.  During a recent visit to the Machipanda border 
post (which borders Manicaland province in Zimbabwe), an IRS 
member identified and registered 193 torture victims that had 
fled Zimbabwe since the first round of elections.  The member 
relayed to poloff that there were "thousands of Zimbabwean 
victims" that could not be reached due to logistical reasons, 
including long distances, and because many victims were still 
too traumatized to speak openly of their experiences.  The 
member also estimated that some 500 young Zimbabwean girls 
were now engaging in prostitution in the borders towns of 
Manica and Chimoio. 
 
¶3. (U) During the last week of May, the Center of Mozambican 
and International Studies (CEMO) hosted a second civil 
society roundtable on Zimbabwe (ref A).  The discussion 
focused on SADC's lost opportunity following the first round 
of elections, the viability for a fair second round runoff, 
and the impact the runoff could have on Mozambique and the 
region.  Like the first roundtable, the discussion involved a 
wide array of civil society heavyweights, particularly from 
the press and the NGO community.  Panelists were universally 
critical of SADC's handling of affairs following the first 
round and its failure to assert itself as a true regional 
broker.  In addition, most panelists agreed that conditions 
in Zimbabwe are unsuitable for holding a free and fair second 
round at the end of June (Note: the GRM has now agreed to 
send approximately 25 election observers as part of a SADC 
observer team.  End Note).  A FRELIMO deputy defended Mugabe 
and asserted that the elections were for Zimbabwe to solve, 
not for other governments or regional organizations.  This 
was met by strong counter arguments by panelists and audience 
members alike. 
 
¶4. (SBU) COMMENT: The worsening political situation in 
Zimbabwe continues to have adverse affects on Mozambique. 
However, despite nearly daily news articles on atrocities in 
Zimbabwe or the plight of Zimbabwean refugees in Mozambique, 
the GRM continues to remain largely silent.  The formation of 
the IRS is a noteworthy development, particularly in light of 
the GRM and UNHCR's belief that Zimbabweans will not 
overwhelm Mozambique with refugees.  Post only learned of 
this new NGO after the deadline for Taft Fund proposals were 
due (ref C).  In light of the continuing flow of Zimbabweans 
into Mozambique and the work IRS is doing to assist, Post 
would like to request Taft Fund assistance to fund the 
important work IRS is performing in Mozambique.  END COMMENT. 
 
Chapman