Breaking: Renamo proposes negotiation with Cabo Delgado insurgents – Mozambique

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Breaking: Renamo proposes negotiation with Cabo Delgado insurgents – Mozambique

2:36 CAT | 13 Mar 2019

Attacks in Cabo Delgado have been causing instability since 2017.

The Mozambican National Resistance party (Renamo) has said that President Filipe Nyusi should talk to the insurgents who have been sowing terror in five districts of the province of Cabo Delgado. But before one talks, one needs to know who is behind the attacks.

Renamo in Cabo Delgado says that it is necessary to find out who is behind the attacks in several districts of the northern province. Singano Assane, head of the Department of Public Administration, Local and Traditional Power in Cabo Delgado’s provincial Renamo delegation, believes that if the government continues to manage the attacks as it has done so far, the effects could be disastrous.

Assane believes that it is necessary to change strategy, because, he says, “this is nothing more than a war and, if it is a war, there is a leader, the one who has to be sought out and asked what is it he wants and what the problem is, so that it can be solved”.

“Redoubled efforts”

Mosambiks PrÃ¤sident Filipe Nyusi (privat) — *President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique*

Instability in the districts of Macomia, Palma, Mocímboa da Praia, Nangade, Quissanga has been spreading since 2017, and recently reached the vicinity of Ilha do Ibo, a place that has served as a refuge for communities attacked by insurgents. It is estimated that more than 100 people have died, including residents, members of the security forces and alleged perpetrators.

Most recently, Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi called on the Defence and Security Forces to “redouble their efforts” in combating armed groups. So far, some 200 people have been arrested, accused of being linked to the attacks.

Renamo Assane member sees a need to work intelligently with prisoners. “There are people in the jails who might know something, and if those in jail do not know about it, then they are innocent. But if they are not [innocent] they must have important information.”

Peaceful negotiation

According to the Renamo official, peaceful negotiation is a viable way to end any conflict, regardless of differences between the parties. To support his argument, Assane cites the cyclical consensuses reached between the Frelimo government and the party of which he is a member since the signing of the General Peace Agreement in 1992.

“This problem is growing and the people, whom the government calls itself their boss, are suffering,” Assane says, warning the head of state to take the organisational capacity of the insurgents seriously and so negotiate an end to the attacks with them.

Asked by DW Africa how Renamo could help solve the phenomenon of instability in Cabo Delgado, Assane replies that “Renamo, as a political party, can never solve a question of another government within the same country. If the president of the republic needs help, he can negotiate with our leader, Ossufo Momade.” [Nyui’s] Advisers cannot be from his party only – there are other people who could also offer advice. “The late Afonso Dhlakama always advised [Armando] Guebuza.”

Source: Deutsche Welle