MDM’s Manuel de Araújo says he is being targeted by gunmen – Mozambique

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MDM’s Manuel de Araújo says he is being targeted by gunmen – Mozambique

12:52 CAT | 27 Sep 2016

DW (File photo) / Manuel de Araujo

Following recent reports of the killing and persecution of Renamo members, the second in command at the MDM, Manuel de Araujo, says that he too is being chased by gunmen.

In January, the secretary general of Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), Manuel Bissopo, was shot by unknown individuals in Beira, Sofala province, and gunmen recently allegedly tried to shoot the leader of the parliamentary Renamo bench, Ivone Soares, in Quelimane, Zambezia. Now the mayor of Quelimane, Manuel de Araujo, the second figure in the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM) command structure, says that he too is being targeted by armed men intent on killing him.

Araújo has told DW Africa that he has been living “in great fear” recently, with at least two armed men pursuing him “inside and outside the province of Zambezia”. Araujo did not reveal the identity of the men concerned, but guarantees that he knows who the people chasing him are, in case he is “killed or the victim of any criminal act”.

Some point to the proximity of the Quelimane mayor to the leader of Renamo as the reason for his alleged persecution. Manuel de Araújo is married to a niece of Afonso Dhlakama.

Police promise to clarify the case

“They have been following us since Wednesday 22 September. We know the two men. They were spotted by my security,” the mayor says, adding that he has told “the police, the provincial government and the Information and State Security Services (SISE)”.

The spokesman of the Zambezia Provincial Police Command, Jacinto Felix says that he is not aware of the complaint, but says that measures will be taken to clarify the matter.

Manuel de Araújo became MDM president of Quelimane municipal council in 2013 through mid-term elections when the former mayor, Frelimo member Pio Augusto Matos resigned.

Politicians, civilians and police are the target of attacks in the country

The central region of Mozambique has been the scene of multiple clashes between the armed wing of the main opposition party and defence and security forces, as well as mutual allegations of abductions and assassinations of political leaders.

Last year, Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama escaped two attacks in the centre of the country, eventually taking refuge in the Serra Gorongosa, where he says he is currently staying.

More recently, the Renamo parliamentary Ivone Soares was the target of an alleged assassination attempt in Quelimane and says she filed a complaint about the alleged attack, but the Mozambican police say they have not received any such complaint and that no official investigation has been initiated.

Mosambik Parteien Ivone Soares von RENAMO — Ivone Soares, the leader of Renamo parliamentary group

In addition to political assassinations, the current wave of violence has seen attacks on civilian targets and the Defence and Security Forces in the centre and north of the country.

Several local ruling party leaders have also been killed in incidents that the Government attributes to the armed wing of Renamo, which continues to demand governance of the six provinces where it claims victory in general elections in 2014, accusing Frelimo of fraud in the election.

The government and the main opposition party resumed negotiations for the restoration of stability in the country a week ago after a three-week interregnum requested by the international mediators.

Source: Deutsche Welle