Zimpapers Logo

Jose Pacheco

MAPUTO. — The dialogue between Mozambique’s government and the country’s main opposition party Renamo failed again yesterday with the negotiation process left to a complete standstill in the southern African country. “When there is dialogue, there are different points of view,” said Jose Pacheco, the agriculture minister who led the government’s delegation.

“The government is willing to accommodate national observers, but, as always, Renamo is not willing to yield on its demands,” Pacheco added.

The former rebel movement Renamo insisted on the participation of foreign observers and mediators, which was rejected by the government on the grounds that the matters under discussion are internal affairs.

It is reported that some Renamo gunmen attacked a bus on Sunday on the country’s main north-south highway, killing one person and injuring five others.

The attack took place at about 9:20am local time against the first convoy of vehicles travelling from the small town of Muxungue, in Sofala province, to the Save river.

Almost all the Renamo attacks on the road have occurred along this 100 km stretch.  Since June, vehicles have been travelling between Muxungue and the Save in convoy, under military escort. — Xinhua.