From ancient grudge break to new mutiny

An old pattern of Renamo-Frelimo violence is reemerging

As Mozambique gets onto an election footing, tensions between the traditional foes Frelimo and Renamo seem to be reemerging. Yesterday, Renamo warned that the process of disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration could be at risk after a senior party member — and demobilised guerrilla — was murdered in Moatize on 30 January.

President Nyusi has made peace with Renamo a keystone of his presidency, but it seems not everyone in Frelimo has necessarily got that memo. Worse, some may be actively trying to undermine him by stirring things up again.

But Zitamar has been told today that the murder of the Renamo delegate came a week after the killing — and beheading — of a community leader in the same village, Nkondedzi (or Ncondezi), apparently after he hoisted a Frelimo flag outside his residence. Moatize district administrator Eugénio Pedro Muchanga told us the murder was carried out by three heavily armed men, who then left a note saying: “We’re back”.

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Agenda:

• Tomorrow: Mozambique and South Africa’s interior ministers to meet to discuss violent attacks on Mozambican vehicles on South African roads

• Tomorrow: Swiss president Alain Berset begins an official visit to Mozambique, to include a visit to Cabo Delgado

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Today’s headlines:

• Renamo accuses Frelimo regime of murdering its member in Tete

• Renamo says the closure of its last military base is an "unknown"

• Fuel import bill doubled to $2bn in 2022

• CFM runs its first train on the Malawi line

• Mozambican importers warn of impact of attacks in South Africa

• HCB increases outflow, raising risk of floods in central Mozambique

• Edson Vombe denies any involvement in kidnapping

Today’s front pages in Maputo. Photo © Faizal Chauque / Zitamar News