Opposition members reportedly infiltrate in Mozambican refugees in Malawi

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Opposition members reportedly infiltrate in Mozambican refugees in Malawi

7:41 CAT | 08 Mar 2016

Members of Mozambique’s main opposition Renamo have infiltrated into the 7,000 refugees in Malawi, according to local radio on Monday.

The state-owned Radio Mozambique reported that some of the fighters of the the second political force in the country’s Parliament hid their weapons and ran to Malawi. It is not yet known whether the Renamo refugees are still fighters or not, reported Xinhua on Monday, March 7 2016.

According to the same cource, since this year, over 7,000 people have crossed the border seeking asylum in Malawi, from Mozambique’s Tete Province, following clashes between the Frelimo-led government forces and gunmen from Renamo.

The report said that those who are benefiting from emergency aid from the Malawian authorities and the UN refugee agency UNHCR are not involved in the political conflict, but are among the Renamo members who are afraid of surrendering to the army.

Under the memorandum of understanding signed between the government and Renamo a year ago, all arms must be handed over to the Mozambican Armed Forces(FADM).

Up to now, around two hundred armed Renamo senior officials have surrendered to the government forces and are undertaking military training under the government’s integration project despite some media reports that the refugees are in Malawi to escape attacks by government forces, and that they cannot trust promises from the Mozambique government to guarantee their safety in Mozambique.

The country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Oldemiro Baloi, last week rejected accusations that the government has abandoned the Mozambican refugees in Malawi and pointed humanitarian aid as a priority.

Baloi told the parliament during the session that the government did not abandon the displaced in Malawi as the opposition accused during the parliament.

On Saturday, president Nyusi issued a letter to the leadership of the main opposition inviting Renamo for talks at a high level meeting as part of his commitment to establish a long lasting peace in the country.

Nevertheless, in the very same Saturday in central Manica province, two people were killed in an attack allegedly perpetrated by armed men from Renamo to a passengers’ autobus in one of the roads Renamo pledged it would set up check points.

For this year, there have been over 20 clashes reported between the two sides, casting a shadow on the country’s road to lasting peace.

Source: Xinhua