“It’s gratifying”: Top Renamo official praises troop withdrawal from Gorongosa

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

“It’s gratifying”: Top Renamo official praises troop withdrawal from Gorongosa

6:42 CAT | 04 Jul 2017

Voa (File photo) / Afonso Dhlakama in Gorongosa

A senior Renamo cadre said at the weekend that the withdrawal of government forces from positions in the Gorongosa mountains paved the way for effective peace and genuine reconciliation among Mozambicans.

But the Government says that the issue more is about disarming Renamo’s armed wing.

This issue is controversial. Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama says there is no movement at all; the government says that is not true.

The government has promised to take journalists to Gorongosa to confirm the withdrawal of government troops from positions near the location where Afonso Dhlakama is presumed to be hiding.

Meanwhile, Gamia Mussagy, a member of the Renamo Political Commission and deputy of the Assembly of the Republic, says she is “happy to hear that government forces have already been withdrawn from eight positions in Gorongosa”.

“It’s gratifying,” Mussagy said.

And academics told VOA that “It’s good to hear this said by a senior Renamo member”.

But Mozambican Defence Minister Salvador M’tumuke says the disarmament of the Renamo guerrillas is even more fundamental, and that the unilateral withdrawal of defence and security forces from Gorongosa alone “is not enough. Renamo should also hand over its weapons”.

Other analysts believe that a purely political solution to the issue of Renamo disarmament does not appear to be sustainable.

The transformation of Gorongosa into a historical and economic centre, focusing mainly on tourism, is regarded by analysts as the most sustainable solution, because this will ensure employment for the people disarmed.

Source: Voa Portugues