European Union condemns the assassination of Jeremias Pondeca – Mozambique

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European Union condemns the assassination of Jeremias Pondeca – Mozambique

9:47 CAT | 10 Oct 2016

The European Union (EU) condemned the assassination in Maputo on Saturday of Jeremias Pondeca, a member of the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo) peace negotiations team, saying that “violence can never be an alternative to peaceful dialogue”.

In a short statement, the EU offered condolences to families and friends of the victim and said it was “important that the authorities spare no effort in bringing to justice those responsible for this crime”.

“Violence can never be an alternative to peaceful dialogue when trying to reach a sustainable solution in a political conflict,” the text says, adding that all parties “should remain engaged in peace negotiations” in Mozambique and “avoid actions that endanger a peace process supported by the Mozambican people”.

Jeremias Pondeca was killed in Maputo on Saturday by gunfire.

Renamo spokesman Antonio Muchanga said: “Police confirmed that his body was found yesterday [Saturday October 8] around 07:00, but was only identified on Sunday.”

Peace talks are to resume today [Monday 10 October] with the European Union joining the team of international mediators coordinated by Mario Raffaelli.

The central region of Mozambique has been the scene of clashes between the armed wing of the main opposition party and Defence and Security Forces , with mutual allegations of abductions and murders of political leaders.

The authorities have accused Renamo of a series of ambushes on the roads and attacks in central and northern Mozambique, hitting police posts, civilian facilities such as health centres and economic targets such as trains of Brazilian mining company Vale.

Responsibility for some of the attacks have been acknowledged by opposition leader Afonso Dhlakama, who justified them on the grounds of the need to disperse the Defence and Security Forces responsible for shelling his supposed location in the Gorongosa mountains.

Renamo demands governorship of the six provinces where it claims victory in the general elections in 2014, accusing the Mozambique Liberation Front of electoral fraud.

Source: Lusa