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Picture: African Union
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) welcomed the signing of the Peace and National Reconciliation Agreement between the Mozambican government and the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), formalized today in Maputo.
“On behalf of the African Union, I wish to salute the peace-loving people of Mozambique and to congratulate President Nyusi and Mr Ossufo on their courage and leadership in achieving this great step towards national reconciliation and unity,” Moussa Faki Mahamat said in his address.
The leader of the continental organisation said he felt the amnesty granted to former Renamo combatants was critical to ending the conflict
“The amnesty granted to former Renamo combatants and their demobilization and reintegration into society is a vital milestone in ending one of Africa’s longest running conflicts,” he added.
Mahamat nonetheless pointed out that there is still work ahead to address the challenges to peace and security in the country.
“I call on all parties to respect the commitments made, and to implement them in good faith for the benefit of all Mozambicans,” Mahamat said, adding: “You can rely on the full support and solidarity of the African Union in this important endeavour.”
Addressing the Mozambican president, the head of the AU Commission recalled that Mozambique “faces others major challenges, including combatting the effects of climate change and the threat of terrorism.”
“Your country continues to teach us and the world about national resilience in the way the people are struggling to rebuild their lives after the devastation caused by Cyclone Idai, the strongest cyclone on record to ever hit the Southern Hemisphere.”
“Mozambique and the other countries affected by this natural disaster deserved the respect, solidarity and support of the region, the continent and the international community,” he said.
Faki Mahamat argued that the newly signed peace agreement is a value add for investors, urging the international community and the private sector to take advantage of this atmosphere of peace and reconciliation to invest in the ongoing national reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts
The pact, which formally ends months of armed violence in the country, was signed in Peace Square, Maputo, in the presence of five African heads of state and several foreign dignitaries, including Teresa Ribeiro, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Portuguese Cooperation. and the European Union High Representative for Foreign Policy, Federica Mogherini.
The understanding formalised yesterday follows the signing by the two leaders of the Cessation of Military Hostilities Agreement, on the 1st of this month, in Gorongosa National Park, Sofala province, central Mozambique.
As part of the negotiations that resulted in the agreement signed yesterday, the Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique approved a new legislative package on decentralisation, which includes the election of provincial governors in the general elections of 15 October.
The understanding also includes the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration of Renamo’s armed wing and the integration of its officers in leadership positions in the Defence and Security Forces.
The Peace and National Reconciliation Agreement is the third between the two parties, since, in addition to the 1992 General Peace Agreement, which ended a 16-year civil war, the cessation of military hostilities agreement signed on 5 September 2014, which formally ended months of clashes following disputes over the electoral law.
Following the signing of the 2014 agreement, Renamo’s armed wing and the Mozambican Defence and Security Forces once again engaged in clashes following the main opposition party’s refusal to accept the results of the general election.
Source: Lusa
Remarks of the Chairperson at Mocambique signing ceremony of the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement
August 06, 2019
Your Excellency, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique,
Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,
Mr Ossufo Momade, Leader of RENAMO,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am honoured to be in the beautiful city of Maputo, to witness this landmark signing of the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Mozambique and RENAMO.
On behalf of the African Union, I wish to salute the peace-loving people of Mozambique and to congratulate President Nyusi and Mr Ossufo for the courage and leadership in achieving this great step towards national reconciliation and unity.
The amnesty granted to former RENAMO combatants and their demobilisation and reintegration into society is a vital milestone in ending one of Africa’s longest running conflicts.
I would like to commend the commitment of the two leaders to work together to address the remaining peace and security challenges facing the country.
I call on all parties to respect the commitments made, and to implement them in good faith for the benefit of all Mozambicans. You can rely on the full support and solidarity of the African Union in this important endeavour.
Allow me to appreciate the efforts that you and your Government are making to ensure free and fair general elections in October, 2019.
The African Union is pleased to have accompanied these efforts by providing technical support to the electoral bodies.
We look forward to deploying election observers to monitor and generally support the electoral process in the country in October.
Your Excellency Mr. President,
Mozambique faces others major challenges, including combating the effects of climate change and the threat of terrorism.
Your country continues to teach us and the world about national resilience in the way the people are struggling to rebuild their lives after the devastation caused by Cyclone Idai, the strongest cyclone on record to ever hit the Southern Hemisphere.
Mozambique and the other countries affected by this natural disaster earned the respect, solidarity and support of the region, the continent and the international community.
I urge the international community and the private sector to take advantage of this atmosphere of peace and reconciliation, to invest in the ongoing national reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I welcome the necessary security measures the Government is taking to combat terrorism and transnational organised crimes. Mozambique is not alone in the fight against these menaces. The African union Commission stands ready to support national and regional efforts.
As you all know, peace, security and sustainable development are our top priorities in the continent to achieve the Africa We Want.
Therefore I welcome the signing of this peace agreement. Indeed, the upcoming signing on august 17th the political agreement in Sudan is a strong reinforcement of our flag ship project of Silencing the Guns, which is the theme of the year 2020.
Let me end by thanking the President Nyusi, the Government and the people of Mozambique for their warm welcome and once again congratulate them for this great achievement.
Muito Obrigado !
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