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MAPUTO. – Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi has condemned attacks by members of the main opposition party Renamo in the northwestern province of Tete, local media reported yesterday. “Tete should not be a training centre for confusion,” said Nyusi during his visit to Tete, cited by the state-run newspaper Noticias.
“Tete wants peace,” he said, urging the crowds “not to be deceived” into waging wars.
Latest reports say that Renamo attacks in Moatize and Tsangano districts in Tete, near the border with Malawi, have left houses and barns burnt down and at least 700 people displaced.
Government and the former rebel movement both claimed that they were in reaction to the other side’s attacks, accusing each other of violating a ceasefire deal signed last September by Nyusi’s predecessor, Armando Guebuza, and Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama.
According to the agreement, all Renamo fighters must be disarmed and dismantled, so that they can be integrated into the army and police.
While, until now, no significant achievements have been made concerning the disarmament, as Renamo is reluctant to hand over the list of its armed members to the ongoing talks since 2013.
Renamo requested the sharing of top positions in the army and police, and the rule in six northern and central provinces that it claims to have won during the 2014 elections – both rejected by the government.
Renamo maintains a major military base in Tsangano in Tete, and also has military bases in the central provinces of Zambezia and Sofala.
On Wednesday, Nyusi said that preparatory contacts with Dhlakama are underway for peace talks. – Xinhua.
Online Reporter