Mozambique Minister of Defence promises to shed light on Manuel Bissopo attack

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Mozambique Minister of Defence promises to shed light on Manuel Bissopo attack

9:37 CAT | 22 Jan 2016

O País / Atanásio Mtumuke, Minister of National Defence.

Twenty-four hours after the attack on member of parliament and secretary-general of Renamo Manuel Bissopo, the Mozambican Defence minister Atanasio Mtumuke told VOA that the government so far had no details on the attack but assured the public that everything would be done to solve the case.

The attack on Manuel Bissopo occurs at a time when state defence and security forces have been conducting unusual operations at Renamo headquarters in Maputo and Beira, but the minister says that those are normal operational measures.

Former government-Renamo mediator fears increased tension

Lourenço do Rosário, former mediator in the political dialogue between the government and Renamo, is nevertheless concerned that the Bissopo case could aggravate political tension in Mozambique.

Renamo has not yet officially responded to the attack, except for its spokesman Antonio Muchanga reporting the incident and the party secretary-general’s state of health.

However, Ivone Soares, the parliamentary leader of the main opposition party, said that she blames Frelimo for all attacks and military ambushes on Renamo leadership.

Soares also accused the United Nations of turning a blind eye to the political situation in Mozambique, along with the Portuguese, United States, United Kingdom and Italian diplomatic missions’ “strange silence” on the matter.

Speaking through senior party and National Defence and Security Council member, Mariano Matsinha, Frelimo has said it has no doubt that the attack on Manuel Bissopo, which resulted in the death of his bodyguard, was perpetrated by members of his own party, though without presenting any evidence to the fact.

Source: VOA Portugues