UN to monitor Mozambique ‘talks’

MAPUTO. — Armoured vehicles bearing a UN logo have entered the Mozambican capital Maputo amid tensions between the ruling party and the opposition, according to the news bulletin released by Mozambique’s official television station yesterday. The official TVM counted six armoured cars, but said some witnesses claimed that there were about 20 cars entering Maputo, with no further details provided.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Defence Ministry refused to talk about the matter apart from advising journalists to contact the government and Renamo teams that are negotiating a ceasefire.

The Mozambican government and the main opposition party Renamo agreed Monday on the terms of reference a ceasefire between the two sides in parts of the central province of Sofala, where ambushes against vehicles on the main north-south highway, and attacks against other civilians and military targets, particularly in Gorongosa district, have been reported since last year.

Last week, Renamo proposed that the ceasefire be monitored by the Southern African Development Community, the European Union, South Africa, the United States, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Italy. The dialogue between the two sides started in April 2013.

Mozambique will hold its general elections in October to select the country’s fourth president since independence.
According to an AFP report, Mozambique’s government accepted a demand by the opposition Renamo for foreign observers to monitor talks aimed at ending clashes that have destabilised the country, local media reported yesterday.

Government negotiators agreed to calling in international mediators during negotiations late Monday as fresh skirmishes between government and rebel forces took place in the central Sofala province, according to independent daily O Pais.

“If this comforts Renamo, the government is open to the presence of international observers for the specific process of stopping attacks by Renamo on defenceless citizens and on national defence forces,” chief government negotiator Jose Pacheco told the paper.

The former rebel Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo) became the official opposition after a peace treaty in 1992 ended its 16-year civil war against the ruling Mozambique National Front party (Frelimo).

Renamo has long demanded the presence of foreign observers at renewed peace negotiations. Clashes first erupted after Renamo’s veteran leader Afonso Dhlakama returned to a one-time civil war bush camp in October 2012.

Renamo’s chief negotiator Saimon Macuiane welcomed the government’s acceptance of foreign observers. “It is a positive signal, the government is showing maturity,” he said.

Renamo this week accused government troops of attacking its fighters in two villages close to where Dhlakama is believed to be hiding. It also accused the army of burning down homes in the area.

The government denies the accusations and instead accuses Renamo fighters of attacking its positions.
It was not immediately clear which international observers might be asked to participate.

But in December, Renamo suggested observers be drawn from Botswana, Cape Verde, China, Kenya, Portugal and the United States.
It also wants to see representatives from the main regional and international bodies such as the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), the African Union, the United Nations and European Union present at the talks.

Five national mediators — clerics and academics — are already attending the talks. — Xinhua/AFP.