Breaking: EU mediator in Mozambique requests the postponement of the resumption of negotiations

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Breaking: EU mediator in Mozambique requests the postponement of the resumption of negotiations

6:45 CAT | 10 Oct 2016

File photo / Mario raffaelli

The coordinator of the mediators of peace talks in Mozambique, Mario Raffaelli, asked the parties to postpone until October 18 the resumption of negotiations scheduled for today to “facilitate reflection” on the resolution the conflict.

“The coordinator of the mediators, Mario Raffaelli, arrived yesterday [Sunday] afternoon to Maputo to communicate to the parties request to postpone until October 18 the resumption of negotiations within the framework of the Joint Commission, in order to allow a reflection on the best way to speed up the resolution of the issues under discussion, ” said the EU Delegation in Mozambique in a statement.

The request of the European Union mediator and coordinator of international mediators in the Joint Commission comes a day after the report on the murder of Jeremias Pondeca, member of the Renamo delegation to the Joint Commission for High Level Dialogue Preparation.

Pondeca, a former deputy and a member of the State Council by the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), was shot dead on Saturday in Maputo.

The European Union links the need for “reflection” requested by Raffaelli with the death of Pondeca.

“This reflection gains more relevance with the news of the brutal assassination of Renamo delegate Jeremias Pondeca, a horrible and contemptible act, but that should not lead to any route deviation in the pursuit of peace. Only with the end of violence, whatever its origin, can be built, in fact, a true and lasting peace,” the statement said.

The mediators, writes the EU Delegation in Mozambique, express their “deepest condolences” to the family of the murdered Renamo leader and “reiterate their commitment to assist the parties reaching an acceptable and positive understanding for all of the Mozambican people”.

Mario Raffaelli met today with each of the parties “and will continue in the coming days the contacts initiated,” said the delegation.

Renamo demands to rule in the six provinces where it claims victory in the 2014 general elections, accusing the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo, in power for over 40 years) of committing electoral fraud.

Source: Lusa