PM accuses Renamo of using weapons to blackmail the state and population – Mozambique

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PM accuses Renamo of using weapons to blackmail the state and population – Mozambique

2:24 CAT | 03 Mar 2016

Mozambican Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho do Rosário has accused Renamo, the main opposition party, of using weapons to blackmail the state and the people, and says the government will do everything in its power to protect the people.

“The use of firearms by Renamo [Mozambique National Resistance] to blackmail the state and the population and force its rise to power is contrary to democratic coexistence in a state like ours,” the prime minister said yesterday in parliament in response to questions about the current political and military situation.

Do Rosário considers Renamo’s argument that it maintains an armed contingent under the 1992 Comprehensive Peace Agreement as a manipulation.

“It makes no sense that Renamo, after more than 20 years, during which time the country has held five general elections, should now base the legitimacy of possessing firearms on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement,” do Rosario said.

Given the illegality of the armed wing that the main opposition party still maintains, the prime minister stressed that the defence and security forces would continue to protect the population from military action by Renamo.

“Our government will do everything to continue to protect the people of Mozambique so that they can continue to devote their energies to the development of their country and the future of their children.”

In a session punctuated by accusations about the responsibility for the current military-political crisis in Mozambique, Renamo’s André Majibire blamed the current situation on the arrogance of the of the Frelimo (Mozambique Liberation Front) government

“With its arrogance and conceit, Frelimo has destroyed the basis on which the country was building its democracy until the current situation of crisis, with dire consequences for the economy,” Majibire said.

The MP accused defence and security forces of persecution and the murder of Renamo members and cadres in the centre of the country, pointing to the flight of thousands of people from Tete province into Malawi as a result of their alleged brutality.

Speaking on behalf of the Frelimo majority, Sergio Pantie, demanded “hard action” from the Attorney General against Renamo members and leaders who instigate and promote violent action in the country.

“The Attorney General’s office should take hard, forceful action against Renamo members and leaders, including some here [in Parliament], for the violence they are perpetrating against the Mozambican population,” Pantie said.

The Democratic Movement of Mozambique, the country’s third largest political party, preferred to focus on the drought and floods plaguing the country and its member Armando Artur accused the Frelimo executive of failing to prepare the country for natural disasters.

“The dire situation experienced by the populations of three regions of the country due to drought and floods, is caused by the failure of 40 years an ungoverned country,” Arthur said, alluding to the four decades of independence the country celebrated last year.

Source: Lusa