“in an environment of cordiality”

The Mozambican presidency announced yesterday in a statement that progress had been made in peace negotiations between the government and Renamo, the main opposition party, following a conversation between the head of state, Filipe Nyusi, and Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama.“During the interaction, the Mozambican head of state and the Renamo president focused on progress in the peace process and noted with appreciation that progress is being made towards mutual consensus and finalisation of the content of the documents to be agreed upon,” a statement issued by the presidency after the event reports.Filipe Nyusi travelled to the Chitengo camp in Gorongosa National Park, but did not meet the Renamo president face to face.“For organisational reasons, the meeting had to be held in an indirect manner, with the President of the Republic sending the Commander General of the Police as his envoy” to meet Dhlakama, the presidency’s statement relates.The document does not clarify why the conversation took place at a distance.

Filipe Nyusi spoke with the opposition leader “through a teleconference that took place in an environment of cordiality,” it adds, without clarifying why the conversation had taken place at a distance.“The proposals on the process of decentralisation, disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration should be presented to the Assembly of the Republic for discussion,” the presidency communique announces.According to the statement, “both leaders reaffirmed their unequivocal commitment to peace in Mozambique and foresaw a radiant future for all Mozambicans”.Following an escalation in the military conflict in the centre of the country in 2015 and 2016, a ceasefire was declared by Dhlakama in December, and relations between the Renamo leader and the president have improved.Negotiations for a new peace agreement were marked by a handshake between the two on Aug. 6, when Filipe Nyusi went to the Gorongosa mountains for a two-hour meeting with Afonso Dhlakama.