Maputo, 22 Mar (AIM) – The Mozambican government on Tuesday approved a decree intended to guarantee the socio-economic reintegration of demobilised soldiers who were once members of the militia of the main opposition party, Renamo.
The Demobilisation, Disarmament and Reintegration (DDR) of the former guerrillas has been under way for three years, and 15 of the 16 acknowledged Renamo military bases have been dismantled. Over 4,000 members of what is politely known as the Renamo “residual force” have been demobilised out of an estimated total of 5,200.
Speaking to reporters after the weekly meeting of the Council of Ministers (Cabinet), the government spokesperson, Deputy Justice Minister Filimao Suaze, said “the decree seeks to guarantee the social security of the demobilised fighters”.
The benefits that will be paid to them include a “social re-insertion bonus” as well as retirement, invalidity and survival pensions and a funeral allowance.
It is not yet known how much these benefits will cost, or how they will be financed.
Renamo leader Ossufo Momade has repeatedly claimed that the payment of pensions to demobilised soldiers is envisaged in the peace agreement he signed with President Filipe Nyusi in August 2019. It is impossible to verify that claim, since the agreement has never been published.
The main objection to paying pensions is that the Renamo fighters have never contributed to any pension or social security scheme. The money will therefore come from the Mozambican state budget, or from foreign donors.
If Renamo accepts the benefits outlined in the government decree, then it should be possible to dismantle the final Renamo base, and bring the demobilization to a conclusion.
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