Promises to finance Renamo disarmamen

The European Union has decided to offer financial support for the disarmament and integration of Renamo’s armed men with a view to restoring peace, tranquillity and stability in Mozambique, Notícias reports.The support is part of a package of 400 million Euros to be made available this year to carry out various activities, such as the management of public finances, infrastructure, education and water supply. The decision was announced on Wednesday by Stefano Manservisi, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate General for International Cooperation and Development, speaking to Mozambican journalists in Cape Verde after meeting President Nyusi on the sidelines of the 12th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP).

Notícias reports that the amount corresponds to that which was donated to Mozambique through direct support to the State Budget, but which was cancelled in 2016 as a result of undeclared public debts. Manservisi explained that the decision to support Mozambique’s activities in these sectors results from the recognition of the work that the president, Filipe Nyusi, and his government have been doing in its programme of public  policy reforms.

The EU considers it essential to remain a strong partner of Mozambique in order to achieve the best possible results in the reform programme and the peace dialogue with Renamo.

The meeting with President Nyusi discussed the best way to apply the 400 million Euros, and the four areas were indicated: demilitarisation and reintegration of Renamo’s still-armed men; support for the education sector; infrastructure, particularly road construction and water supply, and public finance management.President Nyusi said that the government welcomed the European Union’s decision and would continue its efforts to clarify the causes that led to the cut in direct support to the state budget and so “regain confidence in our financial system”.The head of state professed himself satisfied that the amount destined to the State Budget would remain in Mozambique, although in the form of direct support to the specific activities.

“The new, positive element in this new partnership with the European Union is that the value will stay in the country, which will allow the development of the selected activities,” Nyusi said.