Southern Africa: Weekly Report (7 to13 January 2014)

Mozambique:

According to media reports, fighting between Government forces and RENAMO has been reported in several regions, with residents fleeing their homes out of fear. More than 3,500 people have fled to the city of Gorongosa, where the number of people being housed in accommodation centres continues to rise. Authorities are providing support to those displaced.

Madagascar:

On 10 January the preliminary results of the legislative elections were released: Of the 151 seats, the Mouvance Rajoelina won 52 seats, the Mouvance Ravalomanana 31 seats, independent candidates 49 seats and other political entities 19 seats. On 10 January, student protests in Mahajanga city calling for the reinstatement of students previously expelled for protest activities deteriorated into a confrontation between the Gendarmerie and the students. During the clashes the Gendarmerie used live ammunition. According to the Red Cross and local media reports, 13 students were injured and 1 died two days later in hospital. Two students are still missing and around 50 students were arrested.

Namibia:

The number of suspected cholera cases treated in Kunene Region at health facilities since 16 November 2013 increased from 89 on 08 January 2014 to 276 by 09 January 2014, with 8 deaths recorded. The Ministry has adequate medicine to deal with the outbreak in the region and teams from the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Red Cross, WHO and CDC have been deployed to contain the outbreak.