Analysts warn of the “Angolanisation” of Mozambican conflict

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Analysts warn of the “Angolanisation” of Mozambican conflict

3:56 CAT | 23 May 2016

Analysts fear that the high indebtedness of the Mozambican state resulting from high defence spending, coupled with President Filipe Nyusi’s visits to China and Angola and the absence of dialogue are indications that the government intends to solve the present political and military tension in country militarily, but officials say this is not part of its strategy.

Sociologist Francisco Matsinhe says is curious that Mozambique is the only country in the Southern African region to sign a military agreement with China, and that that, coupled with President Nyusi’s recent visit to Angola, can be seen as a move towards the “Angolanization” of the Mozambican situation.

“This major investment in defence certainly has a purpose, which resonates with the head of state’s visit to Angola”, Matsinhe argues.

The academic points out that despite the current absence of dialogue between the Mozambican government and Renamo, that is the only way the conflict will be resolved, “because eliminating the leader of Renamo and his party has already been tried, unsuccessfully”.

Raul Domingos, former Renamo number two and now president of the Party for Peace, Democracy and Development (PDD), also says that he is concerned about recent political developments in Mozambique.

In his view, the defense and security forces operation at Afonso Dhlakama’s home in Beira, central Mozambique, was aimed at physically eliminating the Renamo leader.

“But that will not solve the problem, because the solution is serious and open dialogue,” Domingos said, adding that the Dhlakama’s death would perpetuate and even escalate the conflict.

Government officials however dismiss these comments, pointing out that so far all the leading dialogue initiatives have come from the government and adding that the defence and security forces have not acted more boldly out of political prudence.

It is expected that a committee of government and Renamo representatives will meet soon to prepare for the resumption of their long-interrupted dialogue.

Source: VOA Portugues