Mozambique’s Frelimo and Renamo to Sign Historic Peace Accord

MAPUTO – After decades of conflict the leaders of Mozambique and the rebel movement Renamo will sign an accord today, and the ceremony in the capital will be attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa and his foreign minister.

In 1992 the governing Frelimo party and Renamo signed a ceasefire after years of a bloody bush war, although hostilities and regular clashes continued. The new accord, Reuters said in a report, will deal with a permanent end to hostilities, constitutional changes and the disarming and reintegration of Renamo fighters into the security forces or civilian life, and “offers the best hope yet for a lasting solution to the conflict.”

The accord, the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement, is to be signed by President Filipe Nyusi and Renamo leader Ossufo Momade, just in time for parliamentary and provincial elections on 15 October.

Ramaphosa will be accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor. The president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, will also attend, as will other foreign leaders.

“South Africa’s attendance of the signing ceremony in Mozambique is in solidarity with the people of Mozambique and in support of peace and stability in the country,” the presidency said in a statement today.

(Reporting by Ted Botha/SAPeople; Emma Rumney and Alistair Smout/Reuters)