Dialogue is the only solution for Mozambique

The former president of Mozambique, Joaquim Chissano, yesterday said the only solution to end the ongoing conflict in Mozambique is through peaceful dialogue.Chissano said this when answering questions from journalists during a courtesy visit to President Hage Geingob at State House in Windhoek.The first winner of the Mo Ibrahim Prize, Chissano also confirmed that there are people leaving areas of Mozambique where there is movement of armed people for safety in Malawi.“The solution is always one. We should get to a dialogue and see how such people can be disarmed voluntarily. That is what I refer to when I say the police and army are taking their responsibility to disarm people who are unlawfully armed by force. But this [idea] has been suspended to give chance to a dialogue.“Our country has shown patience in this aspect to try and find a solution to avoid the killing of people in a more generalised armed conflict,” said Chissano, who during his time had fought for peace and stability.He said it is a matter of concern that Renamo's leader Afonso Dhlakama decided to hide in the mountains from where he issues statements which are not conducive, making people worry.“We think that good sense will prevail and conditions may be created and he cooperates to make such conditions so that there is a continuation of the dialogue which was interrupted by what happened, when he thought his life was in danger. But again, I think that this was caused by his party's behaviour, the statements and projects he had,” said Chissano.He added that it is very difficult for him to say that what happened was avoidable, because each person has their own responsibility, just as the police, the army and government all have their own responsibilities.A media report by Mozambican News Agency states that Renamo has once again this year rejected any face-to-face meeting between Dhlakama and president Filipe Nyusi.According to the report the government and Renamo had been undertaking a dialogue, at Renamo's request and with an agenda set by Renamo, since April 2013, usually with meetings at least once a week.However, this dialogue was scrapped by the opposition party leader, before his motorcade came under attack, causing Dhlakama to hide in Gorongosa mountains.