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Lusa (File photo) / Raúl Domingos
Raúl Domingos, former Renamo negotiator in the Rome Peace Accords, says that the extension of the truce confirmed yesterday may be the beginning of the end, adding that it is necessary to consolidate the dialogue between the Government and Renamo during the next sixty days so that an effective peace can be reached.
Domingos, the leader of the Peace, Development and Democracy Party (PDD) and a participant in the negotiation of the General Peace Agreement, says he sees this truce as a positive sign. “It is a very positive sign for the Mozambican people and, in a way, for the Frelimo government, that Renamo, in the person of its president, Afonso Dhlakama [has agreed to extend the ceasefire]. From Rovuma to Maputo, we have all been crying out for the silencing of the arms. We all recognise that there are differences that need to be resolved at the negotiating table through dialogue, but that dialogue must take place in an environment where arms remain silent,” said Raúl Domingos.
Domingos said that the achievement of a definitive peace is urgent and that the negotiation process must be swift and productive. On this point, Domingos said that it was important to revisit the Rome peace agreement and explore the points of convergence and divergence as one of the ways of solving the problem.
The former Renamo member also hopes that all society stakeholders and the government will understand this signal and respond.
Domingos said that, if true, information about the tightening of the siege in the Gorongosa Mountains was not good, especially at a time when the parties are trying to reach consensus. For Domingos, the correct response would be for the Defence and Security Forces to loosen the siege. “I do not say dismantle the forces, but allow this desire of peace from both parties to be felt. Let’s not have one side offering peace and the other using the truce to tighten the siege.”
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