• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
No Result
View All Result
1
Home Africa

Mozambique truce extended, boosting peace deal hopes

3 March 2017, 8:31 PM  |
Reuters Reuters |  @SABCNews
Renamo's Afonso Dhlakama (L) greeting President Filipe Nyusi (R) Picture:Twitter

Renamo's Afonso Dhlakama (L) greeting President Filipe Nyusi (R) Picture:Twitter

Renamo's Afonso Dhlakama (L) greeting President Filipe Nyusi (R) Picture:Twitter

Mozambique’s Renamo opposition party and rebel movement extended a ceasefire by two months on Friday to allow further peace talks with President Filipe Nyusi’s government, raising hopes of an end to years of tit-for-tat violence.

A long-term deal would strengthen Nyusi’s position ahead of a conference of the ruling Frelimo party in September at which he is expected to be re-elected leader despite a high-profile debt scandal hanging over him.

Mozambique, one of the world’s poorest countries, is struggling to repay loans of more than $2 billion that were not approved by parliament or disclosed publicly. Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho do Rosario said this week Mozambique would need to restructure part of the debt.

Renamo and Frelimo fought on opposing sides in a civil war from 1976 to 1992 in which a million people died before a peace accord ended the fighting. But Renamo retains its own militia.

Both sides have clashed sporadically since Renamo challenged the results of the southern African nation’s 2014 elections. The ceasefire was due to end on Friday having been extended by two months on January 3.

Dhlakama told reporters in a telephone call from his bush hideout in central Mozambique that Renamo would be extending the deadline until May 4.

“Peace is sacred,” Dhlakama told reporters. “We intend to achieve true peace, the definitive peace, where Mozambicans can enjoy free circulation and develop the economy of the country.”

He and Nyusi have not met since February 2015 and mutual distrust has led to several ceasefires collapsing since Frelimo won the disputed 2014 vote.

Since the poll, Renamo has demanded it rule in the six provinces where it won the most votes, while the government has called for the opposition to disarm before opening discussions.

Fighting between the two sides usually takes place in remote areas, making it difficult to assess the extent of the conflict.

However, coal trains operated by Brazilian mining giant Vale have been shot at, leading to occasional suspension of services.

Tens of thousands of Mozambicans have fled across the border into Malawi to escape violence and alleged human rights abuses.

– By REUTERS

Share article
Tags: CeasefireFilipe NyusiFrelimoRebel MovementMozambiqueOppositionRenamoAfonso Dhlakama
Previous Post

Ethiopia celebrates 121 years of defeating Italians

Next Post

Armed faction enters major Libyan oil ports, putting output at risk

Related Posts

A health worker in protective clothing carries waste for disposal outside the isolation ward where victims of the deadly Marburg virus are treated in the northern Angolan town of Uige,  File.

Tanzania detects its first-ever cases of the highly fatal Marburg viral disease

22 March 2023, 9:12 AM
File: Ex late Chad President Idriss Deby addresses the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., September 25, 2019.

Chad sentences 441 rebels to life in prison over ex-president Deby’s death

22 March 2023, 6:56 AM
A supporter of Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga of the Azimio La Umoja (Declaration of Unity) One Kenya Alliance, kicks back a teargas canister fired by riot police to disperse them as they participate in a nationwide protest over cost of living and President William Ruto's government in Eastleigh neighbourhood of Nairobi, Kenya March 20, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya

One student killed, 200 people arrested in Kenya protests: Police

21 March 2023, 2:47 PM
A man walks past the carcass of sheep that died from the El Nino-related drought in Marodijeex town of southern Hargeysa, in northern Somalia.

Somalia’s drought killed 43 000 last year, half under five: Study

21 March 2023, 7:46 AM
Supporters of the Azimio La Umoja (Declaration of Unity) One Kenya Alliance clash with police during a nationwide protest over the cost of living and against Kenyan President William Ruto's government, in Nairobi, Kenya March 20, 2023.

Kenyan opposition politicians arrested, tear-gassed during protests

20 March 2023, 8:54 PM
Protestor holds tear gas cannister fired by police in Kenya

Kenyan police fire tear gas to disperse cost-of-living protests

20 March 2023, 11:13 AM
Next Post

Armed faction enters major Libyan oil ports, putting output at risk

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • NPA’s Andrew Breitenbach admits to leaking Zuma medical records to Maughan
  • SABC News crew attacked on N2 while monitoring protests
  • BREAKING | EFF members arrested after clashes with police in Braamfontein Sunday night
  • WARNING | Graphic details: Mabopane businessman killed in a hail of bullets
  • Police making progress in AKA’s murder case
  • Corporates prepare for a possible national blackout
  • NPA’s Andrew Breitenbach admits to leaking Zuma medical records to Maughan
  • SABC News crew attacked on N2 while monitoring protests
  • Wits SRC sued
  • E-tolls permanently scrapped: Lesufi
  • Two taxi owners assassinated in Durban
  • AmaZulu King pays tribute to Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi
  • Shabangu deplores growing racism in the ANC
  • Drive-by shooting in Durban kills two, injures teenage girl
  • SACP describes EFF’s national shutdown as a victory

LATEST

  • Politics

LIVE | NA debates removal of Speaker, Phala Phala committee


SAPS handcuff and fingerprint sheet
  • South Africa

Two arrested in connection with attempted murder in Cape Town


coal mine
  • South Africa

Rapid climate change efforts needed: Creecy


Former President Jacob Zuma in court.
  • Politics

Friends of the court are attacking Zuma: Legal team


Food packed in a supermarket’s fridge.
  • Business

Food inflation increases to all-time high


SAPS personnel at a roadblock
  • National shutdown
  • South Africa

Visible policing helped manage national shutdown: Cele


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2023

Previous Ethiopia celebrates 121 years of defeating Italians
Next Armed faction enters major Libyan oil ports, putting output at risk