Renamo available to negotiate but governance in six provinces “is irreversible”

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Renamo available to negotiate but governance in six provinces “is irreversible”

12:21 CAT | 03 Mar 2016

Renamo yesterday expressed its willingness to negotiate a solution to the political crisis in Mozambique, but warns that its intention to govern in six of the country’s provinces is “irreversible,” according to a statement cited by Lusa.

“The president of Renamo [Mozambique National Resistance] reiterates his readiness to negotiate with the government of Frelimo [Liberation Front of Mozambique] a definitive solution to the current political and military crisis which has caused thousands of refugees,” said a March 1 statement from the opposition leader’s office.

The president of the largest opposition party, the statement continues, “reaffirms that the implementation process of Renamo’s governance is irreversible and will be implemented this month of March,” adding that it wanted to do so “peacefully and in response to popular calls. “

In discussing its intention to govern in the six provinces (Niassa, Nampula, Zambezia, Tete, Manica and Sofala), the Dhlakama cabinet refers to the “movement of large contingents of the Armed Forces of Defense of Mozambique [FADM] and heavy armaments from the south to the centre and north of the country” as well as the “presence of north Korean military instructors to train government troops”.

These alleged actions, the statement reads, have “the aim of derailing the start of Renamo’s governance from the month of March”, but the opposition party insists it will put its plan into operation “despite the military incursions, kidnappings and assassinations of Renamo members and the destruction of Mozambican citizens’ houses and barns, primarily in the provinces of Manica and Tete, perpetrated by the FADM”.

This is the worst crisis in Mozambique since the Cessation of Armed Hostilities Agreement signed on September 5, 2014 by former President Armando Guebuza and the leader of Renamo, who does not recognize the results of the last general election and intends to take power in six provinces where he claims election victory.

Despite two meetings between the Mozambican presidentand Dhlakama in early 2015, political violence returned to Mozambique and has worsened in recent weeks, with mutual accusations of armed attacks, kidnappings and assassinations.

Ambushes attributed to Renamo in Sofala province led the authorities to initiate mandatory military escorts for civilian vehicles on two sections of the N1, the country’s principal highway.

Renamo recently requested the mediation of South African president Jacob Zuma and the Catholic church in the stalled dialogue with the government.

While President Nyusi has reiterated his readiness to meet the Renamo leader, Dhlakama, who is in one of the movement’s bases in Gorongosa, has said that he will only talk after taking power in the centre and north of the country.

Source: Lusa