Nacala (Mozambique), 5 Oct (AIM) – Ossufo Momade, the leader of Mozambique’s main opposition party, Renamo, warned on Wednesday that full compliance with the DDR (Demobilisation, Disarmament and Reintegration) programme, particularly the granting of pensions to former Renamo guerrillas, is fundamental for preserving peace.
Momade was speaking in the northern port city of Nacala, where he was assisting the campaign for the re-election of Nacala’s Renamo mayor, Raul Novinte.
Momade, who arrived in Nacala on Tuesday night, took the opportunity to address Mozambicans on the occasion of “Peace Day”, the anniversary of the General Peace Agreement signed in Rome between the government and Renamo on 4 October 1992.
“The effects of the DDR”, he said, “have opened a new page in the scenario of political cohabitation. So we expect the full implementation of the decree on fixing pensions, which is a key factor for maintaining peace”.
He claimed that Renamo had conducted “with determination” its side of the DDR, “in the expectation that the letter and spirit of the agreements reached would be complied with and respected”.
He urged the government to ensure that the pensions will be paid speedily to the former guerrillas, to ensure that the country does not slip back into conflict.
5,221 Renamo fighters were demobilized under the DDR, and their pension applications are now being processed. On Wednesday, speaking at Heroes Square in Maputo, President Filipe Nyusi said that the pensions of 316 former guerrillas have been fixed. 251 of these pensions have received the go-ahead from the country’s Administrative Tribunal. 27 people began to receive their pensions in September.
Although these numbers are small, Nyusi was confident that the rest of the demobilized guerrillas would start receiving their pensions this month.
Momade pledged that Renamo will never again take up arms. Peace is the only path for the country, he said, despite the persistence of situations that anger Renamo.
“Despite attempts to push us into war, we remain firmly committed to peace, social stability and the welfare of the public”, he declared.
Momade added that decentralization is an irreversible path so that the population can participate in decision taking.
“The democracy we favour is the democracy which transforms positively the life of the people. That’s why we call for decentralization”, he stressed.
Turning to the current campaign ahead of the municipal elections scheduled for 11 October, Momade called for orderly and peaceful elections.
“Our desire is for free, fair and transparent elections. So we hope that an orderly, peaceful and tolerant environment will characterize the process”.
Momade then held an election rally in the Lili 2 neighbourhoods, urging voters to re-elect Novinte as their mayor.
He claimed that Renamo is “the only credible and unquestionable alternative” to the ruling Frelimo Party. In Nacala, he added, it was presenting an election manifesto that was “inclusive, realistic and with sector policies that are feasible and can transform the life of the population”.
He promised that, under Renamo governance, there will be “zero tolerance” for corruption, nepotism and all other evils that threaten the welfare of the public.
(AIM)
Pc/pf (520)
