The political situation in Moçambique has deteriorated enormously since 2013. The two parties Frelimo (Frente de Libertacao de Moçambique) and Renamo (Resistencia Nacional Moçambicana) have regularly engaged in armed battles. The attempted assassination of the Renamo leader in September 2015 further exacerbated the situation. The outcome of this conflict cannot be predicted.
Catherine Hollinger, Program Coordinator Moçambique
We had been looking forward to our project trip to southern Africa for a long time, a trip that would first take us to South Africa and then on to Mozambique. We set off at the end of September! But just before we were about to fly from South Africa to Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, there was alarming news from the country. At the end of September there were serious incidents which showed just how tense the domestic political situation in Mozambique really is at the moment. There were riots between the ruling party Frelimo (Frente de Libertacao de Moçambique) and the opposition party Renamo (Resistencia Nacional Moçambicana).
Canceling the project trip was the right decision
When we learned of serious clashes in our project region of Chimoio, we had to cancel the project trip. It was not easy to obtain reliable information. In hindsight, however, our decision turned out to be the right one.
Political assassination attempt on Renamo
On September 25, 2015, an armed convoy of Afonso Dhlakama, the leader of the opposition party Renamo, was shot at by heavily armed men in civilian clothing on the road from Chimoio to Inchope. The driver of a public bus was also hit, causing the bus to collide with a tanker truck. Several civilians were killed. Although there has never been an official statement on this attack, it is considered certain that the attack was directed by the government and aimed to kill Dhlakama. However, it remains unclear who exactly opened fire.
Riots break out in Chimoio
Dhlakama was not injured and retreated to his hiding place in Gorongossa National Park. As a result of these events, people around Chimoio took to the streets to demonstrate. During the demonstrations, a massive presence of Renamo fighters was reported and several exchanges of gunfire and fires were observed. The unrest forced the authorities to close the schools and the population fled their homes.
Renamo leader in hiding
There have been no negotiations between the government and Dhlakama since the incidents. After Dhlakama left his hiding place for Beira, the second largest city in Moçambique, he was immediately arrested by the government (accompanied by tanks and heavily armed military). After his release, Dhlakama went into hiding – nobody knows where he is at the moment.
Mood in Moçambique very tense
Since the latest events this fall, the situation has become increasingly tense – Moçambique is on the brink of another civil war. The peace process, in which Renamo fighters should have been integrated into the state police force and the military, has stalled badly. Instead, the government is focusing on disarming the Renamo under duress. This has already led to numerous armed clashes resulting in hundreds of deaths. The all-clear given by the government on November 23, 2015 to stop the disarmament process and enter into talks has been met with mistrust.
Desire for peace and stability
The vast majority of the people of Mozambique want peace and stability in their country. And our partner organizations are also committed to helping children and young people on a daily basis to give them prospects in their country. This work is being made much more difficult by these political conflicts. This makes it all the more important that we work with these partners in these places and continue to stand up for the children and young people there. What the further negotiations between the parties will look like is completely open.
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