Ceasefire in Mozambique extended to two months

MOZAMBICAN rebel leader Afonso Dhlakama announced a two-month ceasefire yesterday in the rumbling conflict between Renamo and the government, extending a week-long truce that was welcomed by the president.

Worsening clashes between the Frelimo government and Renamo, an armed insurgent group and also an elected opposition party, have revived the spectre of Mozambique’s civil war that ended more than 20 years ago.

“There have been some minor incidents, but the seven-day truce went well, so I announce the extension of the truce for 60 days, until March 4,” Dhlakama said.

“The truce is intended to build an atmosphere conducive to advancing talks in Maputo in peace and tranquillity for both sides.”

Dhlakama, who lives in hiding in the Gorongosa mountains in central Mozambique, said Renamo forces would not attack government troops or positions.

Last year saw a sharp escalation in violence, and more than 15 000 people have been forced to flee to government-run camps, relatives’ homes or across the border to Malawi and Zimbabwe.

The unexpected truce announcement came after tentative moves towards a peace process were suspended indefinitely last year due to setbacks, including the killing of a Renamo negotiator.

President Filipe Nyusi had said on Monday the truce was productive, according to television reports. Trust was being created, he said, and government forces did not launch offensive attacks on Renamo.

The fighting has often focused on Mozambique’s main roads, with Renamo attacking government convoys and civilian vehicles, and soldiers accused of ruthlessly targeting suspected rebels in nearby villagers.

Many displaced people say government soldiers often treat villagers in the central region as rebel sympathisers.

The death toll is unknown but scores of people were reported to have been killed last year, and both Frelimo and Renamo suffered assassinations of politicians.

After the bloody 1976-1992 civil war in which one million people died, Renamo fighters again took up arms against Frelimo in 2013, accusing the ruling party of enriching itself at the expense of the country. – AFP