In the wake of an Aug. 24 agreement which put an end to hostilities between former rebels of Renamo (National Mozambique Resistance) and the government led by Frelimo (National Liberation Front of Mozambique), some believe a recent step toward Mozambique’s national reconciliation may signify renewed hope for the conflicted nation.
During an Aug. 30 meeting with a delegation from Rome’s Sant’Egidio Community and the Italian government, Frelimo’s leader, Afonso Dhlakama, reaffirmed his commitment to promote peaceful elections. He also showed willingness to return next Thursday to the nation’s capital of Maputo to confirm, with the nation’s president, Armando Guebuza, agreements reached, as well as lead his electoral campaign, reported Fides.
At the same meeting in the nation’s Gorongosa forest, Renamo’s leader also asked the Mozambique government to guarantee the application of the agreements, calling on the national parliament to ratify them as soon as possible.
In addition to Frelimo’s leader, also present were Msgr. Matteo Zuppi of the Rome-based Sant’Egidio Community, Carlo Calenda, the Italian government’s vice minister, and Roberto Vellano, the Italian ambassador.
Twenty-two years ago, the Community of Sant’Egidio and the Italian government were mediators in lengthy talks which led to a Peace Accord, signed in Rome on Oct. 4, 1992.
However, in the past two years, new political-military tensions have emerged in various areas of the country and there has been a return of Dhlakama in former areas of guerrilla conflict.
