Big Renamo base taken in Morrumbala, Zambezia – Hanlon

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Big Renamo base taken in Morrumbala, Zambezia – Hanlon

3:25 CAT | 15 Sep 2016

O País

Riot police occupied a major Renamo base in Sabe, Morrumbala, Zambezia, Saturday 10 September, which was much larger than any base identified so far. Police said that the perimeter of the base was 1 kilometre long and the base contained 600 huts. Police spokesperson Inacio Dina said “there were no casualties. The Renamo bandits had abandoned the location. They must have been informed that an attack was to take place.” (O Pais 12 Sep, AIM En & Pt 10 Sep, MediaFax 14 Sep) This points to a common feature of the fighting this year and in 2013-14, that both sides are trying to avoid casualties and that neither side is defending their installations. There have even been reports that Renamo is told when security forces intend to attack so they can leave in advance.

Meanwhile Renamo continues to demonstrate its ability to move about some areas at will.

A roadblock was set up between Cuamba and Marrupa, Niassa by about 30 Renamo men on Sunday 11 September. The guerrillas said they were looking for soldiers or police. No one was killed or injured, and nothing was taken from vehicles. (AIM En 13 Sep)

The local police chief was killed in Lulute, Mogovolas, Nampula on 8 September as he walked home. Police say he was shot by a group of 10 Renamo. (AIM En 8 Dec)

Two people were killed and three injured in an attack on the N1 road between Nhamapandza and Caia on Tuesday 13 September. (Radio Mocambique)

15 Renamo men attacked the headquarters of the Sabeta administrative post in Tambara, Manica, on Friday 9 September. Only four were armed. They also stole medicines and medical equipment. The administrative post secretariat was attacked and archives and furniture destroyed. They went on to the home of the head of the administrative post, where they smashed windows, but were unable to break down the doors. They vandalized the maternity ward in the local hospital, smashing windows and destroying chairs, desks and cupboards. (AIM En 12 Sep)

Renamo attacked the Muaquia administrative post, Mocuba, Zambezia on 7 September. The group broke into the local health post and the houses of a locality chief and health director. There were no fatalities or injuries. (AIM En 8 Sep)

Why does the international community not condemn Renamo attacks? asked Foreign Minister Oldemiro Baloi in a Radio Mocambique interview Monday (12 Sep)

Dialogue resumed Monday with the mediators, and a change in the Frelimo negotiators. Lawyers Antonio Boene and Eduardo Chiziane replaced two Frelimo MPs, Antonio Hama Thai and Edmundo Galiza Matos Jr. Deadlocked talks appear to be about a temporary cease fire to allow the mediators to go to the Gorongosa base of Renamo head Afonso Dhlakama. The Civil Society Panel for Monitoring the Political Dialog on Tuesday 13 September again demanded that civil society be included in the talks.

By: Joseph Hanlon

Source: News reports & clippings