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Just in: Renamo says Momade retains control over military wing, man who spoke to the press “a deserter”
4:13 CAT | 13 Jun 2019
Photo: Renamo Moçambique
Renamo, the main opposition party in Mozambique, said its leader, Ossufo Momade, is still in command of the armed wing of the organisation, considering the officer who threatened to kill the party’s president if you does not resign as a “deserter”.
“The person who was seen yesterday [Wednesday] has deserted from the Renamo forces, maybe this is what Mozambicans do not know,” spokesman José Manteigas said today in Maputo at a press conference convened to react to the officer’s performance.
Jose Manteigas said that the officer, Mariano Nhungue Chissingue, is a [former] colonel-general of the armed wing of Renamo who, after “deserting” left the mountain range of Gorongosa, where the “headquarters” of the party is located.
Regarding the challenge issued by Chissingue to the leadership of Ossufo Momade, the main opposition party spokesman said that the party leader was elected with more than 65% of votes and has the control of the party and the command of the armed wing.
“Renamo’s forces have a command, a commander in chief, a chief of the General Staff,” said Ossufo Momade.
José Manteigas said that the environment in the Gorongosa mountain range, where Ossufo Momade lives, is “good, cordial and united in the forces unquestionably led by the commander in chief.”
Regarding accusations that Momade ordered the execution of Renamo brigadiers, the party spokesman responded with a legal principle : “The burden of proof lies with the accuser.”
José Manteigas said that the party is committed to the presentation of his candidacy, with Ossufo Momade, to the general elections of October 15.
On Wednesday, Renamo guerrillas demanded the resignation of Ossufo Momade, and threatened to kill the leader if he did not comply with the demand for resignation, accusing him of destroying the party.
“If he does not want to leave, we’re going to kill him, we’re going to attack Ossufo, he’s ruined our party,” said Mariano Nhungue Chissingue, who presented himself as a commander and a general in Renamo at a press conference in the Gorongosa mountain range.
Mariano Nhungue Chissingue was flanked by several Renamo guerrillas, armed with AK 47 weapons and civilian clothes, but journalists at the conference were able to see several guerrillas standing in the woods.
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