Mozambique Elections: Simango calls for forensic audit or repeat election
United States expresses “deep concern” over attack on Renamo secretary-general
12:09 CAT | 25 Jan 2016
In file Club of Mozambique.
The United States today expressed “deep concern” over the shooting of Renamo secretary-general Manuel Bissopo on Wednesday in central Mozambique, and expressed the hope that those responsible for the ” heinous crime” would be brought to justice.
“The Embassy of the United States of America in Maputo expresses its deep concern and strongly condemns the shooting attack against Mr Manuel Bissopo on January 20, and wishes his speedy recovery,” the statement sent to Lusa news agency reads.
The embassy, the statement said, “is waiting for the Mozambican authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation and ensure that those responsible for this heinous crime are brought to justice”.
The United States embassy also condemns “the killings and persecutions of representatives in local and political authorities at various levels recently reported,” addressing its condolences to the families of the victims.
The European Union (EU) also demanded on Friday the discovery of those responsible for the “trend of violence” and is closely monitoring the situation in Mozambique, an EU spokesman told Lusa.
“This attack confirms the trend of violence affecting Mozambican political life and players,” the EU spokesman said, adding that Brussels “calls for a prompt investigation and clarification of responsibility for the attack on Manuel Bissopo and others that have happened recently”.
The secretary-general of the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo) was shot by unknown assailants in Beira. His personal bodyguard died at the scene.
According to Renamo spokesman António Muchanga, Bissopo
remained in a South African private hospital on Monday but was showing signs of improvement.
On Friday, the general commander of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM), Jorge Khálau, said at a press conference that he has already created a commission of inquiry to investigate the attack, while also regretting the incident and condemning the perpetrators.
Renamo president Afonso Dhlakama, blamed the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) for the attack on Bissopo, accusing the ruling party of promoting “state terrorism”.
The ruling party itself publicly deplored the incident on Thursday, but saw no political motive for the attack, and insisted rather on the urgency need for the disarmament of the largest political opposition force.
Source: Lusa
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