Nyusi-Dhlakama meeting: Joint Committee agrees on four agenda points – Notícias

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Nyusi-Dhlakama meeting: Joint Committee agrees on four agenda points – Notícias

10:51 CAT | 09 Jun 2016

Notícias / Jacinto Veloso (L) and José Manteigas (R)

The joint government-Renamo committee tasked with arranging the long-awaited meeting between President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi and Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama has agreed four agenda points, though some terms of reference are still to be settled.

The points are issues concerning Renamo governance in the six provinces where it claims to have won the general elections of 2014; a cessation of armed hostilities; the Defence and Security Forces and the disarmament and reintegration of Dhlakama’s men.

In addressing the terms of reference the government considers that the essential first step on the road to peace and reconciliation among Mozambicans is the holding of the meeting at the highest level between the president and the Renamo leader.

Jacinto Veloso, who heads the government team, said that the government is convinced that clear guidelines for the working groups that will present solutions for peace and reconciliation will emerge from such a meeting.

However, this position is not shared by Renamo, which argues that the agenda points should first be discussed in these yet-to-be formed working groups, for later confirmation at the highest level.

Renamo presented to the Joint Committee its concerns about the safety of its leader who, according to José Butters, is currently living in harsh conditions. The main opposition party also reiterated its desire to see the national and international mediators it has already suggested involved in meetings.

For the government, Veloso said that Renamo should say specifically, how it wants to see its leader protected.

On the presence of mediators, the government says that it does not oppose the involvement of third parties in the dialogue and in the meeting at the highest level, leaving it to Renamo to define the function that they would play in the process.

Veloso said that the government felt that Renamo should have stopped all armed action as soon as the joint committee became operational. Given the still-prevailing differences over the terms of reference, the two sides would continue to hold consultations and reflect on ways to break the impasse.

More news on yesterday’s Joint Committee session to be brought tomorrow in Notícias.

Source: Notícias