Security Forces Stationed Outside Renamo’s Office in Maputo, Mozambique

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Security Forces Stationed Outside Renamo’s Office in Maputo, Mozambique

7:26 CAT | 18 Jan 2016

Mhoje_specialpoliceforcesrenamo_photo_jpg

Canal Moz

A strong contingent of the Mozambican police was stationed on Monday morning outside the Maputo city delegation of Renamo, Mozambique’s main opposition party, reports AM. According to weekly Canal Moz Facebook page, the Mozambican police were members of special forces from Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) and Special Operations Groups (GOE) which mobilized tanks and heavy armament to the site. Renamo’s headquarters in Maputo are located in the prime Polana neighbourhood, just opposite Universidade de Sao tomás and next door to the Swiss Embassy.

In a brief contact with reporters, the Renamo political delegate for the city, Arlindo Bila, said he had no idea why the police had gathered outside the office, since Renamo had planned no activity for Monday that would require such a police presence.

“We’re here for a normal day’s work and we don’t have any substantial activities planned, such as large meetings, about which we normally inform the police”, said Bila. “But when we arrived here at around 06.00 this morning, we were faced with several police units”.

“No activities were envisaged which could lead the police to gather in front of our delegation”, he insisted.

Asked about this at his weekly press briefing later on Monday, Maputo City police spokesperson Orlando Mudumane said “I have no information about this”.

The last time the police gathered in front of the Renamo office was on 29 December, in order to prevent a march by Renamo supporters through the streets of Maputo. The police justified this on the grounds that Renamo had not informed the Maputo Municipal Council of the march the requisite 72 hours in advance, and not provided a route of the march.

Source: AIM / Canal Moz Facebook