Joint commission discusses Renamo demands

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi

Mozambique has eleven provinces and Renamo wants to take power in the central and northern provinces of Manica, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia, Nampula, and Niassa.

According to the session’s spokesperson, Renamo’s Jose Manteigas, “we began discussions about the governance by Renamo in the six provinces. Because this took some time we decided to carry on tomorrow in the same place”.

Whilst the immediate aim of the dialogue is to create the conditions for a face-to-face meeting between the two leaders, the top priority is putting an end to the violent campaign being carried out by Renamo’s armed militia in the centre of the country.

It is understood that other points on the agenda include the immediate cessation of military action, the reintegration of Renamo’s armed militia into the national defence and security forces, and their reinsertion into society.

The Joint Commission is composed of six representatives from the government and six from Renamo. Also present at the meeting were international mediators invited by the two sides to assist in the discussions.

Not all of the mediators attended the opening of the talks. However, the full list of mediators is: Ketumile Masire (Global Leadership Foundation); Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania); Ibrahim Msambaho (Tanzania); Angelo Romano (European Union); Mario Raffaelli (European Union); Sir Robin Christopher (Global Leadership Foundation); Jonathan Powell (Inter Mediate); Thanduyise Chiliza, Mandlenkosi Memela, and George Johannes (deputy representatives for South Africa); Edgar Pena Parra (Apostolic Nuncio to Mozambique); Joao Carlos Hatoa Nunes (secretary of the Mozambique Episcopal Conference); the Ambassador of the European Union; and the South African High Commissioner.