Mozambique: Renamo members in police must obey chain of command

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Mozambique: Renamo members in police must obey chain of command

9:46 CAT | 04 Apr 2022

Photo: Miramar

The general commander of the Mozambican Police Force (PRM), Bernadino Rafael, on Friday demanded that members of the main opposition party, Renamo, who have recently been recruited into the PRM, must show impartiality and obedience to the police chain of command.

Rafael was speaking in Moamba, 60 kilometres north of Maputo, at a ceremony where ranks were awarded to police inspectors who were once members of the Renamo militia. They were promoted under the programme for the demobilization, disarmament and reintegration (DDR) of what are delicately referred to as the “residual forces” of Renamo.

There are 36 of these former guerrillas who have been appointed as officers in the police unit for the protection of senior figures. They will guard the leaders and the premises of Renamo, but as members of the PRM.

Rafael stressed that the behaviour of the 36 is now governed by the Internal Police Regulations. “You will comply exactly with police doctrine”, he told, “because if you stop complying, you will not be understood”.

Rafael also demanded respect for the political figures whom they will be stationed to protect.

The inclusion of former Renamo fighters in the PRM is part of the DDR procedures envisaged in the Peace and National Reconciliation Agreement signed between the government and Renamo on 6 August 2019.

Source: AIM