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Photo: Radio Comunitaria de Gorongosa
14 former members of Mozambique’s main opposition party, Renamo, on Friday defected to the ruling Frelimo Party in Gorongosa district, in the central province of Sofala.
Frelimo presented the defectors publicly at a ceremony in Gorongosa town. They claimed that they had spent several years in the ranks of Renamo, but took the decision to leave after a “deep reflection” on the future of Renamo.
Each of the 14 carried a Renamo membership card, which they handed over to Frelimo during the ceremony.
“We decided to leave Renamo for a party which has a future”, one of them told the Friday meeting. “In Renamo, we had no hope because everything was disorganised. There were many internal conflicts, and so we decided to leave for a party we believe is serious”.
“We want to contribute to the growth of our country”, he added. “We spent many years in Renamo and we didn’t see any change. We trust that in Frelimo we shall be well received and we shall work for the good of all Mozambicans. We are prepared for any mission within Frelimo”.
The Frelimo First Secretary in Gorongosa, Paulo Quembo, said he was pleased at the decision taken by the 14.”You are welcome”, he said. “You are an example. This house is yours”.
The “Frelimo family”, he added, “has room for everyone. As from now, you will wear our colours, and mobilise other citizens who have not yet thought to follow the path of success, which is Frelimo”.
AIM attempted, unsuccessfully, to contact the Renamo district delegate in Gorongosa to obtain his reaction to the defections.
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