According to a report on Radio Mozambique, the Nampula branches of the Mozambican Islamic and Christian Councils organised a march in favour of peace, and in reaction to recent statements by Dhlakama that he intended to set up barracks throughout the country, to which Renamo fighters demobilised in 1994 would be recalled.
The islamic and christian leaders wanted to deliver the message calling on the Renamo leader to abandon his “bellicose discourse” to Dhlakama in person, but found their path blocked by members of the illegal Renamo security force, known as Dhlakama’s “presidential guard”.
The march was to have gone down Rua Das Flores, the street where Dhlakama’s house is located. Although this is a public street and the march had been authorised, Dhlakama’s guards simply refused to allow the demonstrators into the street.
The protestors did not insist. “We turned round, because we don’t want violence”, Abubakar Artur of the Islamic Council told reporters. “Peace is important, not only for people, but for all living beings, and so we must preserve it at all times”.
Despite Dhlakama’s threats, there is no sign that any Renamo barracks have been established, or that any significant number of Renamo demobilized have any interest in going back to war. By now a good number of those demobilized in 1994 will be too old to take part in another war, while most of the others have settled down with families, whom they are unlikely to abandon.
Dhlakama has also claimed that he can remove the ruling Frelimo Party from power “in 24 hours”. He has spoken of organizing a “people’s revolution” that will sweep Frelimo out of office by Xmas. So far there is no sign of any preparation for such a “revolution”.
Dhlakama has also announced a Renamo boycott of three municipal by-elections to elect new mayors in the cities of Quelimane, Pemba and Cuamba. The only effect of this boycott is to ensure that the elections, scheduled for 7 December, will be a straight
Post published in: Africa News