RENAMO threat to declare own government

The leader of Mozambique's opposition RENAMO, Afonso Dhlakama, has threatened to proclaim a RENAMO government later this month in the six provinces that the party won a majority in the December elections, PANA reported on Wednesday. Dhlakama reportedly demanded that there should be a recount of the votes, failing which fresh elections should be held after the rainy season. He said if these demands are not met, RENAMO would proceed to set up its own government in those parts of the country where it is the majority party. Dhlakama's threats follow the dismissal of his party's petition to the Supreme Court to order a recount of the votes, in which RENAMO argued that the ruling FRELIMO party of President Joaquim Chissano rigged the elections.