Wednesday 26 October 2016

Mediators, Mozambique opposition leader escape death attempt

International mediators in Mozambique narrowly escaped death at Gorongosa village in Sofala's province.The team included European Union, representatives of Catholic Church and the South African government.Beira is Sofala’s province capital, which is 1190 km north of Maputo.The incidence happened on October 22, 2016, Mozambique's Para Todos newspaper confirmed Saturday.The mediators were on a mission to meet Afonso Dhlakama, in an attempt to discuss cessation of hostilities with the Renamo leader who was in his hideout at the Gorongosa hill. The area has been a stage of fighting between government and the main opposition party forces.Government forces reportedly surrounded the area where the meeting with Mr Dhlakama was to take place, and opened fire targeting both the mediators and the opposition.Renamo’s officials and the mediators escaped successfully.
Deaths
The incidence took place days after Wtwo senior members of Mozambique's main opposition party, Renamo, were shot dead last week by unidentified gunmen.Earlier this month, Jeremias Pondeca, Renamo’s senior member who was negotiating with the government for peace was also shot dead by unidentified gunmen.Renamo, which previously waged a 16-year civil war that ended in 1992, has refused to accept the results of 2014 elections after it was beaten by the ruling Frelimo party that has been in power since the former Portuguese colony's independence 40 years ago.Renamo has in past few years staged a string of deadly attacks in Mozambique as it fights for a greater share of power.The peace talks that were suspended on October 1, resumed on Monday October 17.


Africa Review

No comments: