Renamo Fighters Disarm

The major opposition party and former rebel group in Mozambique Renamo has begun to disarm its members this week. 

The move is part of a peace deal being discussed which includes plans to re-integrate members of Renamo’s armed wing into the country’s military.

The initiative was launched with a ceremony attended by both Renamo and government leadership figures during which four fighters surrendered their weapons and base.  

Renamo is believe to have 5,221 fighters among its ranks. All are not expected to follow suit to pave the way for the signing of a peace deal between the opposition party and the government. 

While the country’s civil was officially ended in 1992 and Renamo transformed into a political party, conflict was re-ignited in 2013. Since 2016 a ceasefire has been in place, however, the ruling Frelimo party and Renamo have struggled to forge a permanent solution to the dispute.

Mozambique is expected to hold elections later this year.