Mozambique: Newly demobilised Renamo men live in fear – DW

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Mozambique: Newly demobilised Renamo men live in fear – DW

3:34 CAT | 30 Jun 2020

File photo: DW

In Sofala, central Mozambique, newly demobilised Renamo combatants have come in from the bush after 30 years, but live in fear in their home areas. The country’s main opposition party is calling for greater confidence in the demobilization agreement.

Many former combatants of Mozambique’s largest opposition party come from regions where there are currently clashes between government troops and men from the self-proclaimed Military Junta of the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), led by Mariano Nhongo – a dissident guerrilla group.

Bernardo João has recently been demobilised from the Savane base in Sofala. He returned to his home in Macorococho on 13 June, and says that the climate in the region is one of insecurity. Despite not being the target of attacks himself, João has stories to tell.

“I’m just hearing rumours. They tell me to stay tuned, because the men are on the prowl and able to find me now that I’ve come home,” he says.

The ex-combatant does not deny that he is intimidated by the situation. “Today, on my way down the road, I was informed that three other brothers were caught there. Some were killed and others, we don’t know where they are,” he says.

Nhongomariano.dw_ — *Mariano Nhongo is the leader of the self-proclaimed Renamo Military Junta*

Security measures

Bernardo João is already taking precautions. He says he has hidden his identification documents, including his demobilisation credentials, and sleeps in the woods for fear of being kidnapped.

“I’m scared because a person who is known has to be. I don’t carry my documents with me. I keep them hidden and sleep in the bush, I don’t sleep inside the house,” he says. “I am afraid of these rumours, that they are hunting down demobilised Renamo men.”

Renamo’s district delegate in Nhamatanda, Albertina Sibanda, met most of the demobilized combatants last week to hear their complaints.

“Many are living in an environment of fear. In the case of Macorococho, Chiadeia, those who go inside and sleep in the bush arrived there and did not find any local delegates to receive them,” she explained.

Sibanda admitted that “the situation is not good at the district level”, and that “the armed defence and security forces are still there, intimidating people”.

Daviz.simango.dw_ — *Simango: “Lack of citizenship”*

Restoring trust

There is a debate in Mozambique as to whether the Nhongo armed group may compromise the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) process, which is costing the Renamo splinter group its manpower.

The president of the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), Daviz Simango, regrets these episodes and calls for the restoration of trust between the government and Renamo, and that civil society be included in the attempt.

“This is the result of closed, two-way discussions. There is no communication with society, or monitoring by citizens. People’s citizenship is being taken away,” he says.

Secretary of state in Sofala province, Stella Zeca, appeals for a spirit of multiparty coexistence.

DW asked police authorities for clarification, but they said they were unaware of any incidents.

Source: Deutsche Welle