Mozambique: Opposition accuse govt. of ‘masochism’, ‘lack of transparency’ in Cabo Delgado

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Mozambique: Opposition accuse govt. of ‘masochism’, ‘lack of transparency’ in Cabo Delgado

9:30 CAT | 14 May 2021

Composite photo. Images source: TVM

Renamo and MDM, the main opposition parties in Mozambique, on Friday accused the government of “masochism” in the face of the suffering of the population victimised by the war in Cabo Delgado and of a “lack of transparency” with the costs of the conflict.

“The masochists let the people die and then ask for international support. It is the people who suffer from the war in Cabo Delgado and the members of the government do not send their sons to fight,” said Renamo bench leader Viana Magalhaes.

Magalhães accused the executive of having used the argument of defending sovereignty to refuse international support for fighting the armed groups operating in northern Mozambique.

“What sovereignty is this that lets the people die?” he questioned.

Also read: Mozambique: Opposition parties demand “scrutiny” on the cost of war

The Renamo bench leader classified the initial reaction of the executive to the attacks in Cabo Delgado – which began in 2017 – as an “inaction” centred on the argument of rifts between sectors of Islam in the districts affected by the violence, ignoring the vulnerability of young people to enticement by extremism due to “extreme poverty”.

For its part, the MDM accused the executive of a “lack of transparency” in the costs of the war in Cabo Delgado, blaming Parliament for the executive’s conduct.

“Questioning the costs and financial expenditure in hiring security companies to deal with the military situation in Cabo Delgado province is no military strategy approach. We understand that the approach to the military situation in Cabo Delgado should be holistic, involving all the knowledge,” said MDM party leader Lutero Simango.

Simango rebutted the argument already put forward by the Government, when questioned on the costs, that the “military strategy” in Cabo Delgado cannot be discussed in public.

“It is very strange that as MPs, in our country, we are subject to self-censorship when dealing with problems that affect the province of Cabo Delgado militarily, and with regard to legitimate concerns about the involvement of private security companies with a military and warlike character,” Lutero Simango said.

The fight against “terrorism” is being conducted with opacity and may create conditions for corruption, as happened with the “scandal of the ‘hidden debts’,” he said.

“We hope that tomorrow we will not be surprised with other financial operations without the knowledge of Parliament, because we understand that the presence of these [private security] companies is not free”.

The leader of the bench of Mozambique’s third party was referring to the involvement by South African private security company Dick Advisory Group (DAG) in the war against armed groups in Cabo Delgado.

The firm announced at the beginning of April that it had left Mozambique because the government had not renewed its contract.

On Thursday, Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi said the country will not be able to “alone eradicate terrorism” because it is a phenomenon that does not respect borders, thanking international aid.

“The defence of our homeland and sovereignty will become sustainable and lasting by empowering and modernising the Defence and Security Forces, because [external] support will never be forever,” he said.

Also read: Mozambique: Government dodges questions on private security companies – Watch

Source: Lusa