A canoe capsized in the Zambezi River in Sofala province, Mozambique, resulting in nine deaths and three missing persons. The incident occurred on October 15, involving 12 people traveling from Caia district to Moto island. This follows a previous boat accident in Nampula province that left 98 dead. Maritime Administrator Daniel Bango attributes such accidents to bad weather and the poor condition of vessels.

The city of Beira is expected to witness a fierce contest in the upcoming municipal elections in October, with analysts giving a slight edge to the Movimento Democrático de Moçambique (MDM). The MDM's candidate, Albano Carige, will face off against Frelimo's Stella Pinto Zeca, Renamo's Geraldo Carvalho, and Nova Democracia's Lino Eustáquio. Analysts believe the elections will be closely contested due to the popularity of the candidates. The elections are scheduled for October 11.

The Movimento Democrático de Moçambique (MDM) is forming a political alliance with four other parties, including two dissident organizations from Renamo, to maintain control of Beira in the upcoming municipal elections on October 11. The alliance aims to consolidate opposition power and create synergies for the 2024 elections with the goal of unseating the ruling party, Frelimo. MDM spokesperson Ismael Nhacucué emphasized the strategic importance of these partnerships, while Vitano Singano, president of the Partido Revolução Democrática, expressed unconditional support for MDM, citing Beira as the opposition's capital and a model of good governance.

Over 100,000 residents of Gorongosa district in Mozambique's Sofala province lack access to education, income-generating initiatives, and social assistance due to missing identity documents lost during the political-military conflict between Mozambique's Defense Forces and Renamo. The district government acknowledges the severity of the situation and is collaborating with the justice sector to launch a free mass civil registration campaign. The lack of documents prevents residents from obtaining formal employment, benefiting from income-generating projects, and accessing government social benefits. Residents like Maria Ndapassoa and Tome José express frustration and despair over bureaucratic hurdles and the impact on their lives. The district administrator, Pedro Mussengue, emphasizes the urgent need for free registration, especially for children and adults in schools.

A hemorrhagic conjunctivitis outbreak in Sofala has infected over 600 healthcare professionals, more than 10,000 students, and hundreds of teachers, exacerbated by a shortage of medications. The education sector is significantly impacted, with school attendance dropping due to fear of contagion. Traditional treatments, some involving animal feces and urine, pose severe health risks. The outbreak, first detected in Beira, has spread to seven provinces, with recent health campaigns reducing daily infection rates. The Ministry of Health continues to monitor and address the situation.

Approximately 18,000 households (89,000 people) in Caia district, Sofala province, central Mozambique, are facing food insecurity due to floods and Cyclone Freddy, which devastated 30,000 hectares of crops. Local administrator Nobre dos Santos reports that the population is receiving aid from the state and humanitarian organizations. Additionally, elephant populations have been destroying agricultural fields, exacerbating the food crisis.

The strike by doctors, nurses, and medical technicians at Hospital Central da Beira in Sofala is causing significant disruption, leading patients to demand government intervention. The strikers are calling for better working conditions and fair wages under the new public sector salary structure. The hospital, which serves the provinces of Tete, Manica, and Sofala, is struggling to provide even minimal services, resulting in long queues, slow external consultations, and postponed surgeries. Patients and hospital staff are urging the government to engage in dialogue to resolve the situation. The director of the hospital, Nelson Mucopo, acknowledges the challenges but emphasizes efforts to mitigate the impact. The president of the Associação Médica de Moçambique, Milton Titia, warns of a complete shutdown of health services if government threats are realized.

The province of Sofala in Mozambique is experiencing significant disruptions due to a doctors' strike that began on July 10, particularly affecting the Hospital Central da Beira. The strike has led to the postponement of non-urgent surgeries and external consultations, causing distress among patients. In the education sector, teachers in Dondo have halted activities in protest over unpaid June salaries, threatening to abandon their jobs if not paid by the end of the month. The National Public Service Union has also threatened a strike over salary issues. Prime Minister Adriano Maleiane acknowledged the salary delays but attributed them to technical problems. Social activist Jossias Sixpence warned that these strikes could exacerbate economic instability in the country.

The Beira municipality in Mozambique, managed by the opposition party MDM, has not received investment and municipal compensation funds from the central government since October of the previous year. Francisco Majoi, the city's finance councilor, suggests political motives behind the non-disbursement of funds, which are essential for salary payments and development projects. The municipality is due to receive significant quarterly funds for investment and municipal compensation. The provincial finance and economy directorate of Sofala has been contacted for clarification, and the newly appointed Araujo Francisco José is yet to respond fully due to his recent induction.

The Health Minister of Mozambique, Armindo Tiago, expresses willingness to engage in dialogue with the Association of United Health Professionals of Mozambique (APSUSM) to address their concerns, which led to a national strike. The strike, initiated to demand better salaries, working conditions, and patient care, follows unsuccessful negotiation attempts. The Ministry of Health had previously refused to negotiate with APSUSM, citing non-recognition, but now sees dialogue as the best path forward.