Catholic Church Says Its Time Nyusi And Dhlakama Meet

This is not the first time that Mozambican Catholic bishops call for dialogue between President Nyusi's government and the largest opposition party, the Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO). Archbishop of Beira, Dom Claudio Dalla Zuanna tells DW that Nyusi is expected in Beira tomorrow and that it would be "the ideal time for both parties to meet, in order to put an end to the political crisis." ( Dhalkaam is currently in his Beira residence, according to what Renamo officers have told the press.  Mozambican Catholic bishops say that they have been concerned about the siege of security forces to the leader of the house of the main opposition party, RENAMO, on 9th October. At the time the guard of Afonso Dhlakama was disarmed.

At a press conference on Thursday, October 15, the Archbishop of Beira, Dom Claudio Dalla Zuanna, has said, however, that it is necessary to put an end to the proliferation of weapons in the country. "The parties or groups that rely on weapons to resolve or to impose their reason, are already on the side of the ones who will lose. We surely need to conduct a work to convince people that the weapons cannot be scattered throughout the country in the hands of any citizen. 

Representatives of the Catholic Church mediated the siege of Dhlakama's home by police on October 9. Archbishop Claudio Dalla Zuanna was one of the mediators who went to Afonso Dhlakama's home, during the siege of the security forces. Last Sunday (October 11), the Archbishop payed a visit to the Renamo leader and says that Dhlakama has reiterated the will to solve political disputes through dialogue."It was a quiet conversation. I saw a quiet man. He continues to assert its desire for a dialogue that is a constructive dialogue, a dialogue on concrete issues, about trying to address some practical issues. This is what he said," said the Archbishop.

Catholic bishops this week wrote a letter to the President, Filipe Nyusi, and to the leader of RENAMO, Afonso Dhlakama, where they request a meeting between both parties, said the Archbishop of Beira at the press conference."We come to reaffirm our full availability, and already this week we did this in writing, by addressing a letter to the President and the leader of RENAMO personally. The Catholic bishops are allied to those who love peace. Let us to seek together for the paths that will lead us all to peace, a peace to which Mozambique has a right and that it needs so much," he announced.Don Claudio also told reporters that the planned visit of the Mozambican president to Beira, on Saturday October 17, will be the ideal time for both parties to meet, in order to put an end to the political crisis.