According to Moussa Faki Mahamat, the closure of the Renamo base is a “huge contribution” to the suppression of weapons in Africa.

African Union (AU) Commission Chairman Chadian Moussa Faki Mahamat says that closing the last Renamo base in Mozambique will make a huge contribution to jamming guns on the African continent.

In a statement posted on the pan-African organization’s social media, Moussa Faki Mahamat welcomed the June 15 closure in Gorongosa, Sofala province, Mozambique, of the last military base of the Mozambique National Resistance (Renamo), underlining “a colossal contribution to the road to jamming weapons in Africa.”

“The demobilization of the last former Renamo fighters is a real demonstration of the determination of the government of Mozambique and Renamo to work towards lasting peace, reconciliation, reintegration and development,” he wrote.

The Chair of the African Union Commission praised President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique “for his leadership, dedication and commitment to building confidence and promoting reconciliation and tolerance among Mozambicans”, as well as the “commitment of leader Renamo Ossufo Momade to fulfill all commitments agreed during the process” of demilitarization.

Moussa Faki Mahamat also reaffirmed the African Union’s commitment to supporting Mozambique’s “efforts to promote peace, security and stability” in the country.

Renamo’s last base was closed in Vandouzi, Gorongosa district, in the central province of Sofala, on Thursday, more than 30 years after the end of the Mozambican civil war.

The ceremony was attended by Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi and Renamo leader Ossufo Momade.

The closure of Renamo Base 16 is part of the Maputo Peace and National Reconciliation Agreement signed in August 2019.

The ceremony marked the completion of the demobilization of the 5,221 guerrillas who remained at bases in remote areas and began to surrender their weapons four years ago.

This is followed by the reintegration phase, which includes the beginning of the payment of pensions to demobilized servicemen.

The Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), the party in power since independence in 1975, considered the closure of the Renamo base, with which it had fought in the civil war, a “historic milestone”.

The closure of Renamo’s latest base came 10 days before Mozambique celebrated 48 years of independence and is on the verge of a new electoral cycle: municipal elections in October and general elections in 2024.