Renamo’s Momade rails against ‘two-faced’ Nyusi

Relations between the two seem at an all time low, with the peace process not quite complete

Good afternoon. Relations between Renamo and the government of Filipe Nyusi seem to be deteriorating, with the peace process almost but not entirely concluded. Speaking in a press conference in Maputo today, Renamo leader Ossufo Momade said Nyusi — his negotiating partner with whom he signed the Maputo Accord in 2019 — was “two-faced”, and condemned him for excluding Renamo from participating in the sessions last week at the UN, where Nyusi was feted for peace-building efforts, but where he — according to Momade — hid the reasons for “successive internal conflicts” in Mozambique.

Mirko Manzoni, the UN-appointed supervisor of the peace process, told the media last week he believes the last Renamo base, in Gorongosa, will be closed this month. Momade didn’t mention that issue specifically in his diatribe this morning, suggesting he will not use it as a bargaining chip. But the tone of his speech was enough to raise concerns that there is a risk the peace process does not reach the hoped-for conclusion this month.

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Agenda:

• Today/tomorrow: Frelimo secretary general, Roque Silva, participates in Kigali, Rwanda, in the celebrations of the 35th anniversary of the creation of the Rwandan Patriotic Front

• Today: President Nyusi opens the 20th general assembly of the African Road Maintenance Funds Association (ARMFA), which will run until Wednesday in Maputo

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The governor of the Bank of Mozambique, Rogerio Zandamela, failed to show up in parliament today — leading to accusations that the central bank cannot be trusted to manage the proposed Sovereign Wealth Fund transparently

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Also in the news:

• Chang, Gove could face ‘hidden debts’ trial this year 

• Mozambique to eliminate physical rail borders with Malawi and Zimbabwe 

• Rehabilitation works at the port of Nacala to end next month 

• Final Renamo base to be closed by the end of April

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