Mozambique: Momade calls for ‘common sense’ to stop armed attacks

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Mozambique: Momade calls for ‘common sense’ to stop armed attacks

9:38 CAT | 30 Dec 2020

FILE PHOTO - Ossufo Momade. [File photo: Sala da Paz]

The president of the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), Ossufo Momade, on Tuesday called for “common sense” from the leader of the party’s dissident group, Mariano Nhongo, saying the group should stop its armed attacks in central Mozambique.

“We continue to appeal to the common sense of Mariano Nhongo and his colleagues to stop the violence they have been perpetuating,” the leader of the largest opposition party said during a press conference in Maputo.

Also read: Mozambique: 15,000 meticais base salary for military “square soldiers” and other ‘Junta’ demands – Carta

The self-proclaimed Renamo Military Junta, led by former guerrilla leader Mariano Nhongo, is accused of carrying out armed attacks against civilians and government forces on roads and villages in Sofala and Manica provinces in central Mozambique that have caused the death of at least 30 people since August last year.

Ossufo Momade considered that “the barbarity of the Military Junta” is “an affront to the Mozambican state” and therefore the Defence and Security Forces “must continue to play their role of protecting [the population] and maintaining order and security”.

“As we have always said, we condemn and repudiate those acts that call into question human life and the collective will to live in peace,” the Renamo president added.

Last week, Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi announced that the Mozambican Defence and Security Forces captured three men close to the leader of the Renamo dissident group, one of whom was his field assistant.

Days later, Mariano Nhongo announced, in statements to Lusa, the suspension of ambushes and vehicle attacks on roads and villages in central Mozambique, to allow negotiations with the government earlier this week, but so far nothing has been published on the matter.

Also read: Mozambique: Renamo Junta leader denounces kidnapping of family members – Watch

Mozambique: Nhongo available for negotiations, but demands government guarantees

The UN Secretary-General’s representative in Mozambique, Mirko Manzoni, had announced that the Renamo dissident group expressed its readiness to negotiate.

In October, the Mozambican President decreed a truce in the pursuit of the Defence and Security Forces by the Renamo Military Junta for seven days, but attempts to move closer to a dialogue failed, with both parties exchanging accusations.

Also read: Mozambique: Army captures aide-de-camp to Mariano Nhongo and two other members of dissident Renamo group – Nyusi | Watch

The Nhongo group demands better conditions for reintegration, the renegotiation of the 2019 peace agreement between the government and Renamo, and the resignation of the current president of the main opposition party, Ossufo Momade, whom they accuse of having diverted the negotiation process from the ideals of his predecessor, Afonso Dhlakama, a historic leader who died in May 2018.

Also read: Mozambique: Authorities order exhumation of body of kidnapped former Renamo MP

Source: Lusa