Moz frees Renamo fighters in amnesty

Afonso Dhlakama, leader of opposition party Renamo, talks to the journalists during a press conference about the Mozambican post-electoral situation, Maputo, Mozambique. EPA/ANTONIO SILVA

Afonso Dhlakama, leader of opposition party Renamo, talks to the journalists during a press conference about the Mozambican post-electoral situation, Maputo, Mozambique. EPA/ANTONIO SILVA

Published Nov 6, 2014

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Maputo - Mozambique's justice minister has announced the release of opposition members who were arrested during recent clashes.

Speaking in the capital Maputo on Wednesday evening, Benvinda Levy said the justice ministry granted amnesty to Renamo supporters involved in clashes with government forces.

Renamo's head of negotiations Simon Macuine said about 200

fighters were released.

Mozambique's central provinces experienced sporadic violence until a peace accord was signed weeks before the national election on October 15.

Observers declared the elections as mostly peaceful with the ruling Frelimo party winning about 57 percent and Renamo gaining its highest result yet at just over a third of the vote.

The released Renamo men were accused of committing crimes ranging from killing civilians, to illegal possession of weapons and destroying property during the fighting.

Sapa-AP

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