Contact group expresses confidence in Mozambique peace talks

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Contact group expresses confidence in Mozambique peace talks

12:48 CAT | 14 Dec 2018

The contact group for peace negotiations in Mozambique expressed its confidence in the process yesterday after meeting the interim leader of the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), Ossufo Momade.

“We are confident and look forward to demonstrable positive steps that represent good faith in the process of bringing the country into a new era of development with the inclusion of all Mozambicans,” the group said in a statement.

Negotiations have been taking place between Filipe Nyusi, president of Mozambique and of the Mozambican Liberation Front (Frelimo), the ruling party, and the coordinator of the main opposition force, Renamo, whose armed wing is involved in a process of demilitarisation, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR).

“The contact group was pleased with the dialogue with Renamo and with confirmation of its commitment to maintain peace and the implementation of the memorandum of understanding” on the DDR process, the statement said.

The mediators believe that it will be possible to achieve a “common goal of permanent peace for all Mozambicans, which requires goodwill from both sides”.

Next year’s general elections “are an integral part of maintaining peace and democracy”, and the international community “will strive to work closely with all parties and support the process”, it concludes.

Participating in yesterday’s meeting with Ossufo Momade in Gorongosa were the chairman of the contact group and Swiss ambassador, Mirko Manzoni, and the co-chair of the group, US ambassador Dean Pittman.

Two other members of the contact group, the European Union ambassador Antonio Sánchez-Benedito, and the Botswana high commissioner, Gobe Pitso, also joined the meeting.

Source: Lusa