Cars and lorries set on fire in Mozambique

Armed members of Mozambique’s opposition party, Renamo, attacked a convoy on Wednesday in the central Sofala province, the fourth of such attacks in more than a week after the party, also a former reb

Armed members of Mozambique’s opposition party, Renamo, attacked a convoy on Wednesday in the central Sofala province, the fourth of such attacks in more than a week after the party, also a former rebel movement, declared the end of a 1992 peace treaty with the government, as reported by Mozambique state radio.

Radio Mozambique said a number of cars and lorries came under fire in the Muxungue district on Wednesday morning. No details have yet been released on the casualties. Thick black chunks of smoke were seen rising from the cars being set on fire.

The authorities rushed to the scene for rescue operations. On Tuesday, armed Renamo members ambushed another convoy in the same place, killing one civilian and wounding four others who were later rushed to the Beira Central Hospital in Sofala.

The attacks followed the over-running of several Renamo military bases in Maringue in Sofala and in the northern province of Nampula on Tuesday, according to the defense ministry.

The whereabouts of the Renamo leader, Afonso Dhlakama, who fled three days ago from Maringue is still not known.

Political tension grew since last week when government troops raided and occupied the bush camp of Dhalakama in Santugira, Sofala, prompting Renamo to unilaterally announce the end of the 1992 Rome peace treaty, which terminated the 16-year civil war between Renamo and the Frelimo-party-led government.

Mozambique President Armando Guebuza said Tuesday that the struggle continues against those who endanger peace in the country. He was speaking at a rally in the central province of Manica, urging the public to be very vigilant against those who are stoking tension in Mozambique.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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