Bus attacked in central Mozambique

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Bus attacked in central Mozambique

2:33 CAT | 06 Sep 2019

FILE: The attack took place on national road numer one, N1. [FILE PHOTO: DW]

An armed attack on a passenger bus in central Mozambique has left three injured, local sources have told Lusa.

The attack took place on a stretch of road which follows the Pungue River between Gorongosa and Nhamatanda districts in Sofala province.

The unidentified attackers fired shots at a northbound bus heading towards Inchope-Caia on National Road EN1, the main road linking southern and northern Mozambique, leaving bullet holes in the vehicle.

“Three passengers going to Niassa were taken for assistance at Gorongosa Hospital,” a resident said.

Another resident added that the bus continued on its way after the driver and passengers gave statements to Gorongosa police.

Military Junta distances itself from the attack

Gorongosa Mountain is a historic refuge for guerrillas of the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo).

Although hostilities between the Mozambican government and Renamo ceased in December 2016 with the declaration of a truce that was formally sealed in agreements signed a month ago, a dissident group led by Renamo lieutenant general Mariano Nhongo remains “entrenched in the woods”.

The group, which calls itself the Renamo Military Junta, disavows party leader Ossufo Momade and the agreements signed by him, notably those concerning the disarmament and reintegration of Renamo guerrillas into society.

Speaking to Lusa, a source from the group denied authorship of the attack, calling it an attempt to “blackmail” the Military Junta, which has formed parallel party structures and threatened military action if the government does not renegotiate the peace agreements.

Nhongo had already distance himself from another attack in the centre of the country – in Nhamapadza, 200 kilometres from Gorongosa district, on August 1, where two people were injured after a truck and a passenger bus were fired on.

Source: Deutsche Welle