AFRICA : MOZAMBIQUE : 4 KILLED AND 16 INJURED IN POLICE CLASH

CISA NEWS REPORT


Alfonso Dhlakama
MAPUTO, April 5, 2013,(CISA) -Four people have died and sixteen more injured in an early morning clash between the police and the supporters of RENAMO, the main opposition party in Mozambique, in Muxungué,province of Sofala.
Violence broke out when RENAMO militants attacked the police station to free their comrades arrested a few hours before.
The RENAMO(Mozambique National Resistance) fought against the government of Frelimo (Front for the Liberation of Mozambique) during the civil war of 16 years which ended in 1992 after which they became the main opposition party.
Tension has been rising for several months since the leader of the RENAMO, Alfonso Dhlakama retired in the old military base of his movement in the forest of Gorongosa, in the province of Sofala in central Mozambique, surrounding himself with armed militants.
From his base in Dhlakama, Alfonso issued an ultimatum to President Armando Guebuza to accept the formation of a national unity government.
“We are dealing with disturbing facts that should not be over emphasized. So far the clashes figures have been localized in the area” sources at the local Church told Fides.
“There are some sections of the RENAMO that have taken a hard line, but there are also several appeals for calm, for an end to these acts of disorder and to resume the dialogue between the parties. These appeals come not only from the Catholic Church but also from other Christian denominations.”
On April 8, the Bishops will meet in Assembly and it is likely that they will release a statement on the situation that the Country is experiencing.
The government on the one hand seeks a moderate approach to try to resolve the dispute, however, they must prove that they have the situation under control, and therefore intervenes with police actions, which lead to clashes.
Tension increases in relation to the administrative elections in November that the RENAMO has stated its intention to boycott” say our sources.
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