Mozambique: At least 38 Renamo guerrillas hand over weapons

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Mozambique: At least 38 Renamo guerrillas hand over weapons

4:21 CAT | 05 Jun 2020

Photo: Noticias

At least 38 Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo) guerrillas in Sofala handed in their weapons between Thursday and today as part of the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) process of the armed wing of that opposition party.

“This is the relaunch of a process that began with the signing of the [peace] agreement in August last year,” Renamo spokesman José Manteigas told Lusa.

The demobilisation of this group is being done in phases, due to the measures to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic.

The first phase took place on Thursday and included 20 guerrillas, who handed over their weapons and were reintegrated into civilian life.

The second phase, which is taking place today in the presence of Mozambique’s president, Filipe Nyusi, and the Renamo leader, Ossufo Momade, is expected to cover a further 18 guerrillas.

“These fighters are being demobilised, but this has to be done in a dignified and humane way. We have guarantees from the government and the international community that these individuals will be supported to lead their lives normally,” he added.

On Thursday, the defence minister, Jaime Neto, sworne in Anibal Rafael Chief, a Renamo guerrilla officer, to the post of director of the Department of Communications at the General Staff of the Defence Forces of Mozambique (FADM).

On 3 December last year, 10 Renamo officers joined the ranks of the Mozambican General Police Command as part of the peace process.

Filipe Nyusi and Ossufo Momade signed the Peace and National Reconciliation Agreement on 6 August, 2019.

In an interview with Lusa in March, Ossufo Momade said that disarmament would encompass 5,000 Renamo guerrillas and that the process would begin soon, but the Covid-19 pandemic led to the establishment of a state of emergency in Mozambique.

Public activities and gatherings are suspended while restrictions last.

Source: Lusa