Mozambican president accuses Renamo of taking the people hostage

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Mozambican president accuses Renamo of taking the people hostage

6:59 CAT | 15 Jun 2016

Lusa (File photo ) / President Filipe Nyusi

President Filipe Nyusi had accused Renamo, the main opposition party, of taking the people hostage in order to come to power by force, and has called for dialogue as a means of restoring peace in the country.

“The people can not be held hostage to achieve power. The government is aware that the sound of the guns is not the right way to search for peace, and has always advocated dialogue,” Nyusi said, speaking on Monday at an Armed Defence Forces of Mozambique inauguration ceremony.

In a speech reported yesterday by the Mozambican media, the head of state again backed the disarmament of the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), noting that in a democracy political parties were not be armed.

“We live in a state of law. We should not make room for a dualistic coexistence, with civil parties on one side and armed parties on the other,” he said.

Addressing the new FADM commanders, the Mozambican president said that FADM’s conduct should be guided by respect for human rights, especially the right to life, and for fundamental freedoms and sovereignty.

Mozambique is experiencing an escalation of clashes between the defence and security forces and the armed wing of Renamo, with mutual accusations of abductions and assassinations on both sides.

The main opposition party refuses to accept the results of the general elections in 2014, demanding to rule in the six provinces where claims victory in the poll.

The Mozambican government and Renamo resumed negotiations on the political and military crisis in Mozambique in late May, the main opposition party having abandoned a previous round of talks with the government in late 2015, citing a lack of progress.

Source: Lusa