Maputo - Afonso Dhlakama, leader of Mozambique’s main opposition party, the former rebel movement Renamo, has admitted that he personally gave the order for an ambush against government forces in the western province of Tete on 14 June.
Speaking on Monday, in the central city of Beira, and cited by Tuesday’s issue of the independent newssheet “Mediafax”, Dhlakama said that attack took place three kilometres from a Renamo military base at Mucombedzi, in Moatize district.
“I can’t hide it. I gave the orders”, said Dhlakama. He claimed that “more than 35” members of the riot police died in the ambush, and a further ten died in hospital.”
But according to the spokesperson for the General Command of the Mozambican police, Pedro Cossa, two policemen were wounded in the ambush, one of whom died on the way to hospital. According to Cossa, the police unit concerned had been taking supplies to a police post in the Tete interior. If so, it would have been a small unit, certainly not consisting of 45 or more men.
Dhlakama’s statement contradicted that given immediately after the ambush by Renamo spokesperson Antonio Muchanga, who claimed that it was the armed forces who had attacked Renamo, and not the other way round.
The ambush was clearly in violation of the agreement on a cessation of military hostilities, signed between Dhlakama and the then President, Armando Guebuza, on 5 September last year.
Dhlakama justified the ambush on the grounds of retaliation for four supposed government attacks against Renamo militia in various parts of the country. The government, however, has repeatedly denied that there have been any such attacks.
Dhlakama said he had authorized the ambush, after the Mocumbedzi commander had contacted him for instructions.
“Our force noted that government troops were about five kilometres from the base,” he said. “The commander, who is a major, asked – do we have to move the base again, because they’re going to attack us? I said – no, go and meet them, and the clash occurred three kilometres from the base.”
Dhlakama said his patience was running out, because of what he called “frequent provocations”. He threatened that he would retaliate against any future government attack.
Despite the ambush, and Dhlakama’s sabre-rattling, government and Renamo delegations are continuing to hold a “political dialogue” in Maputo, and have reached agreement on a declaration of principles on separating political parties from the state. This declaration was due to be signed on Tuesday evening.
ANA