Renamo accuses government of seeking to exclude mediators from peace process

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Renamo accuses government of seeking to exclude mediators from peace process

5:20 CAT | 14 Dec 2016

File photo / Antonio Muchanga

Renamo, the main opposition party in Mozambique, has accused the government of seeking to exclude international mediators from the country’s peace talks to pursue a “hidden plan” to perpetuate the war.

“This hidden plan intends to perpetuate the war in the country, which is why they do not want to see mediators in the country, why the Government intends to alienate international mediators,” said Antonio Muchanga, deputy of the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), speaking during a session of questions and answers with the executive, in the Assembly of the Republic.

Muchanga alluded to the proposal of the Government delegation in the peace negotiations to create a working group on decentralisation, without the presence of international mediators, adding that this idea is part of the executive’s plans to prolong the armed conflict in the country.

“If the Government is committed to peace, what is it that leads to the spread of military actions throughout the country? What the people see is contrary to the silencing of arms, what is seen is the deployment of the Defence and Security Forces throughout the whole territory, ” said the Renamo deputy and also spokesman for the opposition party.

In seeking that international mediators do not have a seat in the working group, António Muchanga continued, the Mozambican executive demonstrates having a plan which is alien to peace.

Addressing parliament, the Mozambican PM, Carlos Agostinho do Rosário, said that the decentralisation working group aims to streamline and give greater scope and rigour to the decentralisation process.

“This group has the mission to prepare the document containing the general philosophy and procedures that will serve as a basis for the drafting of the legislative package on decentralisation to be submitted to this great people’s house in good time,” said Carlos Agostinho do Rosário.

The Joint Commission for the Dialogue for Peace in Mozambique, which includes the Government, Renamo and international mediators, last week announced the creation of a working group that will draft a proposal for decentralisation of the country in an effort to achieve peace in Mozambique .

Renamo demands to govern in the six provinces where it claims victory in the general elections of 2014, accusing the ruling party of electoral fraud.

The centre and north of the country have been beset by clashes between the Mozambican Defence and Security Forces and the armed wing of Renamo, a movement accused by the Government of attacking civilian targets in both regions.

Source: Lusa