Former Renamo Guerrillas Protest Leadership in Mozambique

Dozens of former Renamo guerrillas shut down the party’s provincial delegation in Nampula, protesting against provincial delegate Abiba Aba and party president Ossufo Momade. The protests stem from dissatisfaction over leadership and electoral outcomes, with calls for more engagement and accountability within the party. The former fighters express frustration about broken promises regarding their reintegration into society after the civil war.

On Tuesday morning, former guerrillas from the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo) protested by closing the provincial delegation in Nampula. Their actions stemmed from grievances against provincial delegate Abiba Aba and party president Ossufo Momade, whom they accuse of arrogance and poor coordination. Carolina Yahaia, a former combatant, expressed dissatisfaction with their leadership, insisting they should step down to promote unity among fighters who contributed to the struggle for democracy.

The protests intensified after Renamo’s performance in the general elections on October 9, where the party secured 28 parliamentary seats, losing its position as the main opposition force to the Optimistic People for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos), which holds 43 seats. This electoral setback has fueled calls within the party for a reassessment of leadership, particularly of Ossufo Momade.

Renamo recently postponed its National Council meeting, initially scheduled for March 7-8, without announcing a new date. Many former guerrillas have voiced concerns about their treatment and the party’s direction under Momade, citing unresolved issues from the past and perceived neglect of their interests since Afonso Dhlakama’s passing.

Ernesto Douglas, another former guerrilla, lamented the rift within the party, claiming that under Momade’s leadership, dissenting voices are silenced. He noted a lack of dialogue and unmet promises from the Demilitarization, Disarmament, and Reintegration (DDR) process, expressing frustrations over unfulfilled commitments related to housing and integration into state structures.

The former combatants sought a meeting with provincial leadership to address their complaints but were unsuccessful. Nelson Carvalho, the party’s provincial spokesperson, clarified that the closure of the delegation was a proactive measure to prevent confrontations among members rather than a direct result of the protesters’ actions.

Ossufo Momade, who ran for president in the recent elections and received only 5.81% of the votes, faces increasing scrutiny regarding his leadership amidst Renamo’s reduced status since Dhlakama’s era. Daniel Chapo from the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) was inaugurated as president on January 15 after securing victory in the elections. The civil conflict between Renamo and government forces spanned 16 years, concluding with a peace agreement in 1992 that facilitated Mozambique’s transition to democracy.

The closure of the Renamo provincial delegation in Nampula highlights significant unrest among former combatants regarding party leadership following disappointing electoral results. Calls for Ossufo Momade’s resignation and demands for greater engagement with the rank and file reflect deep concerns over the party’s direction after leadership changes post-Dhlakama. This situation underscores the ongoing challenges Renamo faces as it navigates its role in Mozambique’s political landscape and the legacy of past conflicts.

Original Source: clubofmozambique.com