Tanzania’s post-election unrest has sparked economic turmoil in neighboring Malawi, with hundreds of transporters, including fuel tankers, stranded at the Kasumulu Border. The border post, which connects Songwe and Kasumulu, has been under lockdown since violent protests erupted in southern Tanzania, disrupting communication networks and supply chains.

Malawian truck drivers describe a chaotic scene, with mobs clashing with police and vandalizing customs offices. Thokozani Banda, a driver who arrived at Kasumulu on Wednesday, recounted the intense riots, which lasted from 11am to 2pm. “People ransacked everything, destroyed computers in the Customs office,” he said. “They said they wouldn’t touch our vehicles–only government property–but it was terrifying.”

Although Tanzanian soldiers have restored calm, movement remains heavily restricted. No shops are open, leaving drivers desperate for food and water. Isaac Kampondeni, another driver, noted that they must seek permission from security officers to cross into Malawi to buy food. Those stuck further inside Tanzania are in a worse position, with no network connectivity.

The unrest has paralyzed cargo movement from key Tanzanian ports, threatening Malawi’s fragile economy. Frank Banda, spokesperson for the Transporters Association of Malawi, warned that the situation could lead to fuel shortages, as drivers carrying fuel from Tanga and Dar es Salaam have been instructed not to travel. Perishable goods, such as bananas, fish, and ginger, are rotting in trucks stranded along the route.

Karonga Police Station officer-in-charge Kelvin Mulezo confirmed that traffic between Malawi and Tanzania has completely stopped, with several Tanzanian families fleeing into Malawi for safety. Mzuzu-based human rights activist Moses Mkandawire cautioned that the turmoil could undermine regional trade and development, emphasizing that the security and economic linkages between countries mean that instability in one directly affects the rest.

Malawi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has deployed a team to monitor the situation, gathering facts on the ground and liaising with Tanzanian counterparts to ensure the safety of Malawians and their goods. As protests continue across the border, Malawi faces a triple shock: looming fuel shortages, disrupted trade, and mounting business losses. The economic storm brewing in Malawi is a direct consequence of the political crisis in Tanzania, highlighting the interconnectedness of the region’s economies.