Mozambican government and Renamo ask mediators to act impartially

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Mozambican government and Renamo ask mediators to act impartially

11:05 CAT | 21 Jul 2016

The government and main opposition party Renamo delegations in Mozambique’s peace negotiations yesterday asked international mediators to act with impartiality and avoid defending the interests of either of the parties to the conflict in particular.

“We ask the mediators to act together, not divided according to whether they were suggested by the government or Renamo,” the head of the government delegation, Jacinto Veloso said at a press conference in the presence of members of the government and Renamo delegations.

Speaking after the first meeting involving international mediators, Veloso said that the government and Renamo had confidence that mediators would help devise solutions in the search for a lasting peace in Mozambique.

Veloso revealed that the six new members of the government and Renamo delegations were present at yesterday’s meeting alongside the mediators appointed by both parties.

The government-proposed mediators include personnel from former British prime minister Tony Blair’s Faith Foundation and from former US Undersecretary of State for African Affairs Chester Crocker’ Global Leadership Foundation, and former president of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete.

Renamo’s proposed mediators are drawn from the European Union, the Catholic church and South Africa.

The two sides meet in Maputo again today.

Although the government and Renamo have resumed negotiations, attacks by alleged armed Renamo men on civilian and military vehicles in the centre of the country have not abated, and Renamo accuses the defence and security forces of intensifying the shelling in Gorongosa, where its leader Afonso Dhlakama is said to be living.

The main opposition party refuses to accept the results of the last general election, claiming the right to govern in the six provinces where it says it secured victory in the 2014 poll.

Source: Lusa