Speaking at an ecumenical meeting organised by various Mozambican religious organisations to mark the 20th anniversary of the peace agreement signed in Rome on 4 October 1992 between the government and the Renamo rebels, Guebuza added “Mozambique is no longer a country that people talk about, but a country that people talk with”.
“We are now a country where development partnerships are made”, he said. Guebuza pointed out that in 1992 Mozambique’s per capita income was less than 100 US dollars. After 20 years of peace it has risen to more than 500 dollars.
“This was possible because we kept our promise to preserve peace, and we were able to promote the culture of peace in our daily life”.
Although Renamo was notably absent from the Maputo celebrations of the anniversary, Guebuza praised its leader, Afonso Dhlakama, for his role in ensuring the preservation of peace in Mozambique”.
“He has made his contribution, as a partner to the Rome agreement, by reaffirming to members of his party, and before all of Mozambican society and the international community that armed conflict is contrary to progress, to multiparty democracy and to the better future that we want for ourselves and for future generations”, said Guebuza.
This generosity was not reciprocated. Interviewed by the independent television station STV, in the central city of Quelimane, Dhlakama seemed to regret ever signing the peace agreement. He declared that “the 20 years of peace were worse than the 16 years of war”.
Post published in: Africa News