"There is No War in Mozambique"

The Mozambican government is encouraging Mozambicans who have fled into Malawi to escape clashes between gunmen of the former rebel movement Renamo and the defence and security forces to return.There are now about 4,000 Mozambican refugees in Malawi, who have fled from parts of Moatize district in Tete province, on the border with Malawi. The Malawian authorities have housed them in a centre in Kapise.Interviewed by Radio Mozambique after a visit to Kapise, the Mozambican High Commissioner in Malawi, Jorge Gune, said he had encouraged the refugees to come back to Mozambique. He promised that they will be accommodated in safe areas, and will receive all the logistical support that they need. This government initiative, he added, also includes setting up an accommodation centre for returning refugees at Zobue, on the Mozambican side of the border.Despite the sporadic clashes, Zune insisted that “there is no war” in Mozambique. He backed up this statement, by citing the free circulation of people and goods along the Tete Corridor. This is the road from Zimbabwe to Malawi, which passes through the middle of Tete province.A Mozambican delegation is now working with Malawian counterparts about the situation of the Mozambicans in Malawi, and proposing their return to Mozambique.