Dhlakama says integration of Renamo men starts this month

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Dhlakama says integration of Renamo men starts this month

2:47 CAT | 02 Mar 2018

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In an exclusive interview with O País, the Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama has said that an “equitable process” for the integration of Renamo’s residual forces in Mozambique’s armed services will begin this month and be completed by June.

The president of the country’s largest opposition party also took the occasion to criticise the work done by electoral administration bodies in preparations for the second round of the Nampula by-election.

The topics discussed:

– On equity in the Defence Forces

“We talked about the need for the Renamo commandos in the Defence Forces not to be marginalised: to be appointed to direct battalions, brigades, companies, regiments, departments within the army, air force and navy – any military structure, to create a balance. Which means, where a battalion commander is from the government, the deputy has to come from Renamo, and so on. Where a Renamo man can run a brigade, the deputy will be from the government. That is the deal we got, without going into numbers.

“At the moment, we are checking where we can put the Renamo candidates, who from Frelimo can be replaced by one from Renamo, and who will stay in place. They have been there since 1994, but have not had the opportunity to be nominated or promoted. Anyone who joined as a colonel has remained a colonel.

“This agreement aims to prevent future conspiracies against myself or any Renamo figure. I can promise you that it will no longer be necessary for me to continue to maintain a personal bodyguard, because public security will become the responsibility of the state, and will be for all Mozambicans.”

– On the future of Dhlakama’s personal bodyguard and Renamo members currently in the bases

“These will be quartered, and those in good physical condition, who are not old or sick, will be selected to enter the police force and assist in public safety. That is, they will join the Police of the Republic of Mozambique. The others go to the Rapid Intervention Unit, Border Guard and various specialities within the Ministry of Interior.”

– On the implementation timeline

“This year. What will happen now is that, from March, the selection and integration of Renamo elements in FADM will begin. This begins in March and will be concluded by the end of April, when we can then begin to move those Renamo men who still on [Renamo] bases to barracks. They will be selected in April/May through to June, by when they will be joining the police.

By Raúl Massingue

Source: O País