“It was a huge sacrifice for Frelimo to recognise Renamo,” former mediator says

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“It was a huge sacrifice for Frelimo to recognise Renamo,” former mediator says

11:25 CAT | 05 Oct 2017

This Wednesday, the 25th anniversary of the Mozambique General Peace Agreement was remembered also in Rome, the city where it was signed.

Protected behind glass, the historic documents that put an end to 16 years of civil war were exhibited outside the room where they were signed on October 4, 1992. Sheets of paper that, despite their apparent fragility, still maintain the balance of a lasting peace.

Speaking to DW Africa, Mozambique Deputy Minister of Justice Joaquim Veríssimo said those who signed the agreement were “visionaries”.

“If we were not convinced that we were on the right path to finding a solution, we obviously would not today be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. This is where we must learn a lesson, in the sense that all our problems can be resolved through dialogue and nothing more,” said Veríssimo.

“The Italian Formula”

Andrea Riccardi (picture-alliance/ dpa) — Andrea Riccardi

Professor Andrea Riccardi, former mediator in the Mozambican peace process and member of the St. Egidio Catholic community based in Rome, praised the success of the “Italian peace formula”.

“The mediators had no self-interest in the reconciliation,” he said in his speech. He pointed out that the two years and three months of community-mediated negotiations gained momentum when Italian diplomacy was involved in the dialogues.

“It was a huge sacrifice for Frelimo to recognise Renamo,” Riccardi recalled, adding: “I believe the peace agreement is not history, but is the framework by which Mozambique exists today.”

Modern, democratic Mozambique

“Dialogue and peace are already part of Mozambique’s DNA, as is the struggle for independence. I think that remembering that day is remembering modern and democratic Mozambique. ”

The next 25 years

“Surely, peace is to be consolidated, but I also believe in growth, development and the fight against poverty,” the former Sant’Egidio mediator concludes.

Source: Deutsche Welle