By RFPosted on 01-08-2019Modified on 01-08-2019 at 23:14

A new peace agreement was signed on Thursday (August 1st) in Mozambique between the ruling party Frelimo and Renamo, the former rebellion that has become the main opposition force since the end of the 1992 civil war. the third peace agreement since 2013, when Renamo took up arms against the government, and is signed at two months of general elections scheduled for October 15.

President Philipe Nyusi made the trip to the stronghold of Renamo in the center of the country for the signature. It is a hand of power, after the vote in Parliament on Monday a new amnesty law for all crimes committed during the conflict.

For Caifadine Manasse, spokesman for Frelimo, party in power, this agreement is a real achievement of the mandate of the President: " When the President was invested, he committed to do everything possible to bring peace to the country. But the signing of this agreement, almost at the end of his term, is proof of the excellent work of the Head of State. A work to reason Renamo to ensure that we can all contribute to the development of the country .

For its part, Renamo has timidly begun the disarmament of its members. The former rebels welcome this agreement which, according to her, will allow the smooth running of the next elections. " We are delighted with the signing of this agreement. This means that eventually our leader, but also other actors on the Mozambican political scene will be able to join us here in Maputo or travel the country to campaign. Especially as Ossufo (leader of Renamo) is a candidate for the presidential election on October 15, "said Antonio Muchanga, MP for Renamo.

It remains to be seen whether the peace agreement will last longer than the two previous ones.

The government and Renamo signed a peace agreement in 1992 that ended the 16-year civil war. This agreement was violated between 2013 and 2014. A second peace agreement had concluded in 2014, itself violated. In 2016, a ceasefire was declared following negotiations, but there was no agreement signed.

Ossufo Momade, the leader of Renamo, is now challenged within his own ranks. And then, the next elections could revive tensions between the two parties. According to Amnesty International, several opposition candidates for the governorship have already received threats.

    On the same subject

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