President open to dialogue

Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano said on Wednesday in the Belgian capital Brussels that he was open to meeting with main opposition leader Afonso Dhlakama, Lusa reported. His comments came in the wake of last week’s nationwide opposition protests, during which at least 41 people were killed. “I have no condition and am ready for a meeting and for any dialogue”, Chissano said.

Chissano cautioned, however, that it was “still too early” to know what he would discuss during such a meeting. He added that it was likewise too early to determine whether there was any threat to the peace process in Mozambique. Dhlakama‘s Renamo-Electoral Union has repeatedly charged that the official results of last December’s elections were “fraudulent”.

Last Thursday, nationwide opposition demonstrations called to protest against the ballot ended in violence, with at least 41 people killed and dozens of arrests, particularly in Renamo stronghold regions in the north and centre of Mozambique. Chissano denied that police were responsible for the violent outcome of the protests. “The police reacted to defend themselves with the means they have”, he said, adding that some protesters were “armed to the teeth”.