Sadc leaders warn Mozambique’s Dhlakama on war

Joint Southern African Development Community (Sadc) and International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) Summit that met in South Africa has warned Mozambique’s Renamo movement leader Afonso Dhlakama, against fighting the Frelimo lead government saying such a fight would distabilise other countries in the region.

Malawi President, Joyce Banda speaking  in Blantyre upon arrival  from the summit said though the issue was not on the agenda, Mozambique’s Prime Minister Alberto Vaquina was allowed to update the summit on the developments in the country.

“Renamo has taken up firearms due to some disagreements that we feel as Sadc might escalate into a civil war and as a regional block we have sent a cautioning message to Afonso Dhlakama that stating a fight with the Mozambique government will be tantamount to fighting almost all the countries in the region,” said President Banda.

Banda expressed worry over the developments in neighbouring Mozambique observing that Malawi will likely feel the heat that would include hosting refugees.

“The situation has worried most countries in the region including Malawi, because in the past this country had to host almost three million refugees from that country,” observed Banda adding that Malawi is always at the receiving end of most problems emanating from it neighbour Mozambique.

Mozambique’s opposition Renamo movement ended a 1992 Peace Accord last month after government forces were alleged to have attacked the Sathunjira base of its leader, Afonso Dhlakama.

Close to one million people lost their lives in a civil in Mozambique after it attained independence from Portugal in 1975.