Mozambique

Översikt

The political and security situation in Mozambique is dominated by a decades-long struggle between the governing FRELIMO party and the opposition RENAMO group. Although armed conflict has ended, tensions remain although RENAMO's capabilities have declined considerably fuelled by a government debt crisis, inflation and popular discontent of rising prices. Other threats of concern to business travellers include civil unrest, crime and kidnap. Kidnapping is common in Maputo, but largely targets the Indian community rather than foreign travellers, although Portuguese nationals were taken hostage in 2012-13. Since 2017, steady volume of militant attacks mainly from the local Islamist militant Al-Sunnah group and clashes with security forces have been reported in districts of Macomia, Mocimboa da Praia, Muidumbe, Nangade, Palma and Quissanga all in Cabo Delgado province. 

Hälsa, sjukdomar och vaccination

Travellers are advised to consult a travel health specialist or general practitioner (GP) to obtain the latest information with regards to what vaccines are recommended about 4-8 weeks prior to departing for Mozambique. Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before your trip to Mozambique. The following vaccinations are recommended: measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis, polio and influenza. Travellers might also consider the vaccinations for Hepatitis B and rabies, according to the specifics of their travel.

Cholera is a frequent and recurrent problem in Mozambique. The most recent outbreak prior to the current outbreak started in January 2017 and ended in April 2017 resulting in a total of 2129 cases and four fatalities. The current outbreak has been reported in the northern provinces of Nampula and Cabo Delgado.

Risk of mosquito-borne diseases, including Chikungunya, Dengue and malaria is present throughout Mozambique, including urban areas. Travellers should take meticulous anti-mosquito bite measures during the daytime.

A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is only required from travellers coming from a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission.

The risk of African Tick-Bite fever is present throughout the country, with greater risk in the southern part of Mozambique.

Schistosomiasis risk is present in the whole country, including urban areas. Avoid swimming in fresh water, such as lakes, rivers, ponds, and wetlands and eating raw foods which have not been washed with purified water.

Mozambique has the 8th highest prevalence in the world with 12.5% of the population living with HIV.

In addition to these health risks, travellers diarrhoea is the most common travel-related medical problem affecting travellers to Mozambique. It is advisable to bring anti-diarrhoea medication and oral rehydration salts to prevent dehydration. Travellers must take all necessary precautions when drinking water or eating food within the country and only drink water from sealed bottles obtained from a reputable source or water that has been boiled.

Tuberculosis is highly endemic and a major public health problem in Mozambique.

Although it is advisable to acquire a comprehensive travel health insurance before travelling, this insurance is unlikely to cover medical expenses at many in-country facilities. Many doctors and hospitals will expect payment in cash, particularly outside of Maputo. Life-threatening medical problems may require air evacuation to South Africa.

Outside of Maputo, and in the north of Mozambique in particular, medical facilities are rudimentary and medicines are not always available. Furthermore, most medical providers do not speak fluent English.

Pass

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date your visa for Mozambique was issued, and have at least two blank pages.

A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is also required if travelling from a country where the disease is prevalent.

Visum

All nationals need a visa to enter Mozambique. Visitors are advised to apply for these at their local Mozambican consulate, although it may be possible to obtain one upon arrival if there is no Mozambican diplomatic mission in your country. However, it is not at all guaranteed that a visa will be issued on arrival and many travellers have faced difficulties.

Single and multiple-entry visas are available for both tourist and business purposes.