Renamo men in SISE “is our demand” – Ossufo Momade

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Renamo men in SISE “is our demand” – Ossufo Momade

2:43 CAT | 12 Jun 2019

Ossufo Momade, leader of Renamo, the largest opposition party in Mozambique. [File poto: DW]

The integration of Renamo men into SISE, Mozambique’s State Intelligence and Security Services, is the current sticking point in the peace talks between the largest opposition party and the government. Renamo leader Ossufo Momade expects the government to concede, in the name of reconciliation.

The integration of its men into the State Intelligence and Security Services (SISE) is one of the Renamo demands rejected by the Frelimo government. But President Filipe Nyusi has already made some concessions, and the parties are already talking about dates for a definitive peace agreement.

DW Africa interviewed Renamo leader Ossufo Momade on the peace dossier, which is already in its final stretch.

DW Africa: A final peace agreement is expected in August. Are Renamo’s claims already satisfied?

Ossufo Momade (OM): The commitment is to have the resolution of all existing problems by August this year. And this will depend on the goodwill of the [Frelimo] party. We will do our part and we will see if our government brothers will be able to comply, in relation to what we have stated, what we have pointed out during this time. What we want is peace, the people want peace. Our will is to see both parties comply with what was discussed at the table. We encourage the people of Mozambique await the outcome of this process. It is a complex process, but we must comply with what has been discussed.

DW Africa: There is an extra impetus to finalise the final peace agreement before the elections. Does not that pose a risk of reaching an imperfect agreement?

Bildkombo Mosambik Ossufo Momade Filipe Nyusi — *Ossufo Momade (left) and Filipe Nyusi, President of Mozambique, have held peace talks*

OM: No, we are going to work to put an agreement in place by August this year which will ensure the integration and demobilisation of our forces. I think that if there is good will it will happen.

DW Africa: Regarding the integration of Renamo’s men into the State Intelligence and Security Services, where does that stand?

OM: We are discussing it, it is a subject on the table, and we hope it will happen.

DW Africa: This is now the most controversial point on the discussion table …

OM: But if Mozambique wants a national reconciliation, the other party must accept that Renamo’s officers and guerrillas are Mozambicans and those who are part of the secret services are Mozambicans. There is nothing to fear or distrust: as long as there is goodwill, there can be no mistrust between the parties.

DW Africa: And if the agreement is not reached before the scheduled date of the elections, what will your party do?

OM: We are working to make everything happen and not create obstacles. What we want is for everything to happens according to what we together wish, and through the help of the international community.

DW Africa: The process of disarmament, demobilisation and integration lacks financing. Both parties intend to hold a summit to raise funds. Does it make sense to seek external support to solve an internal problem of this nature?

OM: We want the international community to support this process because the country lacks the financial capacity to solve the problem, so we have to turn to the international community. And mainly because we want transparency in this process. We have already seen funds diverted, so we would like to see integration of all three parties – the international community, Renamo and the government.

Source: Deutsche Welle