‘Desertions’ in the Military Junta? Al in good order and waiting for government, says Nhongo

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‘Desertions’ in the Military Junta? Al in good order and waiting for government, says Nhongo

6:01 CAT | 22 Feb 2021

File photo: DW

Over a short period of time, Renamo’s self-proclaimed ‘Military Junta’ has suffered two important desertions. But its leader, Mariano Nhongo, is not concerned, and says that he is still waiting to be contacted by the Mozambican government.

João Machava, a former spokesman for the ‘Junta Militar’, left the group in November to join the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) process. Shortly after, it was the turn of Military Junta ‘Number Two’ to leave the group and hand over his arms. Paulo Filipe Nguirande said last week that he was tired of fighting, and will also join the DDR process.

Despite these two ‘desertions’, Mariano Nhongo, the leader of the self-proclaimed Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo) splinter group, is not shaken.

“Paulo was my protégé; I promoted him to general because he worked well. But at the end he thought about money and abandoned [us],” is all Nhongo would say on the matter in an interview with DW Africa.

However, Nhongo takes the opportunity to reject rumours that circulated on social media that he had been captured. “I was neither captured nor injured. I am healthy, I am alive and I still have energy. If the [Mozambican] government does not want to negotiate with the Military Junta, we go, go, go,” he said.

“An entertainment act” – Manasse

The sound of weapons has not been heard in Sofala and Manica provinces for almost two months – a relief for Mozambicans who crave effective peace in the country.

Caifadine Manasse, spokesman for the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo, the ruling party) tells DW Africa that Mariano Nhongo should desist from his “blackmail” and follow the example of ex-combatants João Machava and Paulo Filipe Nguirande.

Manassef.dw_ — *Frelimo spokesman Caifadine Manasse. [File photo: DW]*

“Mariano Nhongo was offered a truce with the President of the Republic. Mariano Nhongo is playing with the life of Mozambicans, the life of Mozambique. Mariano Nhongo is creating this as an act of entertainment. We think that Mariano Nhongo […] [must hand himself over] to the authorities and [surrender] the weapons, like the others are doing,” Manasse says.

The Frelimo spokesman stresses that the country needs “peace and stability”, and that the best contribution that Mariano Nhongo can make, is to “get out of the woods” and join the DDR process.

Waiting for government contact, Nhongo

The leader of the self-proclaimed Military Junta says that he is waiting for an invitation to negotiate with the Mozambican executive, and promises that he “is not organising to make war”.

“The Military Junta has already mothballed its weapons and is waiting for the government to open the door and send its men to the negotiating table. But the government is continuing the fight, pursuing the Military Junta from the air,” Nhongo insists.

It is suspected that the Military Junta, since its emergence in mid-2019, has killed around 30 people in attacks in central Mozambique. The group has declined successive calls for dialogue, including with the mediation of the United Nations Secretary General special envoy for peace in Mozambique, Mirko Manzoni.

In January, Manzoni said that there was still a window open for dialogue between President Filipe Nyusi and Mariano Nhongo. DW Africa contacted Mirko Manzoni, but it was not possible to get a reaction from him at the time of going to press.

Source: Deutsche Welle