Maputo, 04 Oct (AIM) – Demobilized fighters of Renamo, which used to be Mozambique’s main opposition movement, demand the withdrawal of members of the riot force (UIR) from the party’s headquarters in the central city of Quelimane.
The political delegation had been locked down by the party’s demobilized fighters, who thought the measure would force Ossufo Momade, who is blamed for Renamo’s poor results in last year’s general elections, to resign from the party’s leadership.
However, the headquarters was then occupied by the riot force for reasons that remain unknown. When they arrived, the demobilized fighters were inside the building.
Renamo now faces a moment of crisis as some members have been putting pressure on the current party leader Ossufo Momade to resign. They blame Momade for Renamo’s poor showing in last year’s general elections. This movement to sack Momade has once closed down almost all the Renamo provincial delegations.
According to Edgar Silva, coordinator of the RENAMO Management Commission, speaking to reporters, the police presence in the party’s headquarters is hindering dialogue and efforts to resolve internal differences that have divided the party.
Silva stated that the deployment of the UIR at several political headquarters is creating constraints on the normal functioning of Renamo and making it more difficult for rival groups to engage in dialogue over the party’s leadership.
“We did not take over the offices to destroy anything. We are here to challenge the leadership, especially Ossufo Momade”, he said.
According to Silva, the protesters want direct dialogue with the party leadership, arguing that Momade’s removal could create conditions for the reunification of Renamo’s different groups.
“Renamo is sinking and we are warning that this must not happen again. The Renamo family has to unite,” he said.
Silva also recalled an incident in 2025 when members of his group gathered at Renamo’s national headquarters in Maputo to demand a meeting with the party leadership. He alleged that police dispersed the gathering using tear gas and live ammunition, claiming that some members were injured.
The group is also calling for an internal assessment of the 2024 general elections to establish the reasons for Renamo’s performance and determine responsibility.
“We will request an assessment so that we can identify those responsible and hold people accountable for the debacle we suffered,” Silva said, adding that the process should be part of a broader effort to reorganize and reunify the party.
(AIM)
Zt/Am/
