Mozambique: Military deal may be close – By Joseph Hanlon

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Mozambique: Military deal may be close – By Joseph Hanlon

8:24 CAT | 29 May 2018

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The formula for an agreement on military questions was identified unconditionally during his final meeting with the late Renamo leader, Afonso Dhlakama, at his base in Gorongosa, President Filipe Nyusi told a rally in Nacala Friday (25 May). “We had already overcome the differences with the late Renamo leader and we had defined the real priorities of the Renamo soldiers, because we were aware that it was a question of ending a process, not of beginning a new one”. (Aim En 27 May, O Pais 28 May)

ALSO READ: Dhlakama says Renamo will only surrender weapons when it has officers in the Defence and Security Forces

“We are encouraged and expect to reach a good agreement soon,” Alfredo Magumisse, a member of the Renamo Political Commission, confirmed to a press conference after the approval of the constitutional amendment on decentralisation Thursday (24 May). ‘We continue our dialogue with the government, especially with the President.” He stressed that “we are not talking about demilitarisation.” Instead it is the integration of the Renamo military into the armed forces and security service (SISE), with any not selected being reintegrated into civilian life. (CanalMoz 25 May; O Pais 28 May) Dhlakama had been demanding a system similar to that used in the elections technical election secretariat (STAE) where for each government appointed official there is a Renamo named deputy. It is not known if this changed at that last meeting.

But Nyusi in Nacala made clear the two issues are linked: “it isn’t only the decentralisation package the guarantees peace in Mozambique” and the demobilisation and reintegration of Renamo armed men is essential.

Dhlakama announced a truce in Renamo’s low level insurgency at the end of 2016 and the government stopped its attacks on Dhlakama’s base. The truce has held with no significant violations.

By Joseph Hanlon

Source: News reports & clippings