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Dhlakama, for us, he is in Beira – Mozambican Minister of Defence
3:02 CAT | 01 Mar 2016
In File Club of Mozambique / Atanásio M'tumuke, minister of defence of Mozambique admits the possibility of rescuing Dhlakama from the bush once again
Last Friday, the city of Beira saw the opening ceremony of the Military Operational and Sports Year 2016, Atanásio Salvador M’tumuke, Minister of Defence of Mozambique, presiding alongside other ministry figures and the Governor of Sofala province, Maria Helena Taipo.
According to M’tumuke, the Mozambican government recruits young people to “defend our people and sovereignty, unlike Renamo, who recruit young people to kill other young people and citizens in general, and hinder the free movement of people and goods, which we robustly condemn”.
That comment apart, M’tumuke did not address the country’s military-political situation or respond to questions about the alleged ill-treatment of the public by members of the security forces when asked, magazine CRV reports.
Mobbed by journalists as they left the platform, M’tumuke said that Afonso Dhalakama “is in Beira,” where he was once rescued in a joint operation by mediators, the minister then asking “How, then, is he now out (of Beira)? We in the security forces do not know”.
In order to make sense of the minister’s statements, CRV Magzine here presents them verbatim, according to transcripts of the interview:
Q. – What is being or has been done to ensure the safety of the Renamo leader for the meeting with the president?
Atanásio Salvador M’tumuke – No, this is not (a matter) for the defence and security forces (FDS), we obey the orders of the Commander in Chief.
When he was rescued for the first time, the Commander in Chief ordered us to open up a safety corridor for the FDS to bring Dhlakama to Beira. So Dhlakama, for us, is in Beira! Dhlakama was rescued with the opening of the corridor to get out of the bush and we count on him being here in Beira.
Q. – But Mr. Minister, it is no secret that the leader of Renamo is in Gorongosa …
A.S,M. – And how did he get out? Therein lies the problem. How he left! So we, the FDS, do not know.
Q. – So, in the matter of dialogue, everything hangs in the balance?
A.S.M. – “No, it depends on him. He runs away from the dialogue, to the bush, according to your confirmation that ‘it turned out, he is in the bush’ …
‘Now, it depends on him. Again, he will force the head of state, the Commander in Chief, to order the FDS to open the corridor and bring him to the city, and we are available.”
Q. – But he says he fears for his safety as he came to Beira and next day the FDS were at his home … and he fears that a situation of that kind may be repeated.
A.S.M. – Dear journalists, he is a man who carries a gun in Mozambique. Everywhere in the world, no party can walk armed, no. Only the state can.
Now what happened – fortunately the Governor is here – he showed his good will to thus presenting an example of how to leave weapons and handed them to the Governor, and now we are asking, where did he get the weapons? Because the delivery of weapons was a symbolic delivery, so the others, his followers, they must immediately surrender their weapons.
Now, we’re not understanding why they still continue to carry weapons, as he personally said ‘symbolic delivery of the weapons’.
Q. – But looking particularly to the position of the head of state who is the Commander in Chief of the FDS, what is the position of his ministry vis-a-vis ensuring the safety of the Renamo leader?
A.S.M. – No, not the ministry. The FDS. I am saying, we, our responsibility is to ensure the security of every citizen. Not only Dhlakama in this case.
“Even the Renamo parliament members who ensure their security are the FDS, they are there, it does not matter, but then who ensures their security are the FDS. Even where they live, the places they go through.
“Therefore, we are ready to guarantee security, but if he is in the bush, how do we ensure his safety, unless you gentlemen know where he is … So if you know, tell us and we will ensure it is safe for him to leave.”
Q. – Mr Minister, there are reports that the FDS has been violating the population living in those areas. What steps are being taken?
A.S.M. – What areas?
Q. – In Tete, in Nkondezi region.
A.S.M. – Violating what? What is violating? You’ve just attended the opening of the military academic year of combat readiness, all this is to ensure the country’s security and territorial integrity.
When we speak of the country, we are talking of the gentlemen here who are part of the people, Dhlakama is part of the people, then, in no way can the FDS can violate the population.
How were the Frelimo guerrillas received? The gentlemen were children. How were you received? They were well received! Why? Because it is they who have created conditions for the country to stay independent, hence, the defenders of the Mozambican people …
Q. – You don’t admit that there are undisciplined elements within the FDS?
A.S.M. – “If you have five children, not all of them will follow your advice.”
Source: Magazine CRV
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