Peace in Mozambique only achievable through honest negotiations – Justin Pearce

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Peace in Mozambique only achievable through honest negotiations – Justin Pearce

12:47 CAT | 05 Jul 2016

Mhoje_dhlakamanyusipresidency1_photo_jpg

Presidency (Courtesy photo) / Renamo's leader Afonso Dhakama (L) and Filipe Nyusi, president of Mozambique (R)

Researcher Justin Pearce of the University of Cambridge believes that peace in Mozambique can only come about through honest negotiations, and that, in the current environment, the Mozambican government may accept Renamo’s demands.

But Pearce says the government and Renamo should be more transparent. “I think that there has been a lack of sincerity on both sides. (…) The dialogue process must be serious.”

VOA interviewed Pearce at the Institute of Social Studies in Pretoria, after the presentation of a survey on the social relations of Renamo in central Mozambique.

Pearce says Renamo mobilises the population with a narrative on democracy and promises to solve day-to-day challenges. One example is the improvement of social services such as education and health, and the elimination of “tax”.

Pearce explains that “in rural Mozambique, when it comes to taxes, they really mean bribery, and it is clear that there is a high level of corruption in the civil service, particularly the police”.

The military conflict in the centre of the country prevents free movement and is already having an impact on the economy, which is anyway deteriorating after the discovery of the state’s ‘hidden debts’, with the country’s largest donors, including the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, discontinuing direct support to the state budget.

Under these conditions, Pearce notes, the government may give in to the demands of Renamo, including governance in the six provinces where it had more votes than Frelimo in the last elections.

“I think that will be the way Renamo will accept a peaceful solution,” Pearce says. A military strategy, predicts Pearce, could “result in a very long and bloody war”.

Source: Voa Portugues

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I’d like to put it on record that this article is not an accurate reflection of my views. I believe that there are elements within Frelimo that might be disposed to accepting some degree of devolution to the provinces. But there are also elements in the party that are likely opposed to any such devolution. And the party is certainly not going to accept Renamo’s demands wholesale. Queria clarificar que este artigo não seja uma verdadeira reflexão do meu ponto de vista. Acredito que há elementos dentro da Frelimo que possam estar dispostos a aceitarem a concessão dum certo grau… Read more »