Mozambique defence and security forces reinstate mandatory escorts

[MARTIN PIETERS SAFARIS]

Anyone have any more info on this?

http://clubofmozambique.com/ne...s-on-national-roads/

Mozambique defence and security forces are today reinstating mandatory escorts for vehicles on the Save-Muxungué section of the N1, because of the threat of attacks by armed groups, Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) spokesman in Sofala Sididi Paulo has told Lusa.

“We have reinstated escorts in the Save-Muxungué section to ensure people’s safety” in the wake of a recent series of attacks attributed to Renamo (Mozambique National Resistance), Paulo says.

The same measure was in force on the same section of road between 2013 and 2014, the last political and military crisis between the government and Renamo, but attacks nevertheless left a number of dead and wounded and caused much damage to the economy.

“This section was the scene of such incidents before, and in face of these latest developments, we decided to go back to the convoy system to protect the population,” Paulo explained.

According to Paulo, the convoy system is the same as before: “a military vehicle in front, one in the middle and a third one at the end of the column,” Paulo said, adding that the situation is calm.

“The situation is under control. We have not recorded any incidents since yesterday’s attack [Wednesday].”

Paulo did not give an end date for the escorts, saying that “the system will remain in place until we are sure that it is safe for people to travel”.

Recent attacks attributed to armed Renamo elements have brought uncertainty back to traveling on the EN1, the only road linking the south to the centre and north of Mozambique. Attacks have focused on the Save-Muxungué section and Gorongosa and Maringué in Sofala province.

A European Union (EU) diplomatic source expressed concern on Wednesday about the “general deterioration” in the political and security situation in Mozambique, hoping for an immediate end to the attacks attributed to Renamo in the centre of the country.

On the eve of a visit to Mozambique of the EU High Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, the European bloc says that the recent attacks on the country’s principal highway endanger safety and law and order and wants the perpetrators to “stop immediately”.

Mozambique has been experiencing political instability for several months, with the leader of Renamo threatening to take power in six northern and central provinces of the country, where his movement claims victory in the 2014 general elections.

This is the worst crisis in Mozambique since the Cessation of Military Hostilities Agreement was signed on 5 September 2014 by former President Armando Guebuza and the Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama.

The government and Renamo have accused each other of abduct ions and murders of their members in recent weeks, and Renamo has asked South African PresidentJacob Zuma and the Catholic church to mediate in the its stalled dialogue with the government.

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi has reiterated his availability to meet the leader of Renamo, but Afonso Dhlakama believes that there is nothing to talk about, Frelimo having rejected Renamo’s request for a revision of the constitution to make possible the creation of the new autonomous administrative regions demanded by the opposition, and saying that dialogue would only now resume after Renamo had taken power in the centre and north of the country.

 

[thi9elsp]

Martin,

I had read there was an attack several days ago. Caused me to look up this province. I figure Ann and I are ok since we'll fly into Maputo, then fly to Lichinga and bypass the problem area for our hunt in September. The one part that made me pause a bit was the Renamo leader saying his group was taking control of central and northern provinces. Since we're hunting up north bordering the Niassa I am a bit concerned. Plan to watch the news and am glad we bought trip cancellation insurance if things go bad in the next 6 months.

Thanks for posting,

John

 

[spike.t]

@TMS simon you know anything?

 

[siml]

@thi9elsp , I would watch to see what develops, but wouldn't be too concerned, it is mainly restricted to just north of the Save River.

 

[Hank2211]

The situation is under control. We have not recorded any incidents since yesterday’s attack [Wednesday].”

I have to say that's both scary and funny.

Everything's under control? Yup, for the last 23 hours or so.

 

[Red Leg]

@thi9elsp , I would watch to see what develops, but wouldn't be too concerned, it is mainly restricted to just north of the Save River.

Sigh. Zambezi River Delta next year. Wonder if they would let me bring along an AR as a second rifle.

 

[BRICKBURN]

This is actually about another area in TETE that has been having issues of late and refugees leaving for Malawi.

http://www.straitstimes.com/world/africa/mozambique-clashes-prompt-thousands-to-flee-to-malawi

 

[BRICKBURN]

https://www.enca.com/africa/mozambique-re-introduce-armed-convoys-roads

MAPUTO – Mozambican police have re-introduced a system of convoys under armed escort for vehicles travelling on the 100km stretch of the country’s main north-south highway between the Save River and the small town of Muxungue, in the central province of Sofala.

Such convoys, to protect against attack by gunmen of the rebel movement Renamo, were first used during the Renamo insurgency in Sofala in 2013/14.

The authorities believed that since then the Agreement on a Cessation of Military Hostilities – signed by the then president Armando Guebuza and Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama on September 5, 2014 – had ended the need for convoys.

However, Renamo has refused to disarm and Dhlakama has opted to send his militia to block roads and attack vehicles in the central provinces.

Dhlakama has spurned repeated invitations from President Filipe Nyusi for a face-to-face meeting and is instead following a military option. He has publicly announced that he intends to seize power in six central and northern provinces as from next month.

There were attacks on the Save-Muxungue road on Thursday and Friday last week and, although these caused no fatalities, they were enough to persuade police to re-instate the convoys as from last Wednesday.

Reports from the independent television station STV accompanying the convoys say that so far they have gone smoothly with no sign of Renamo.

Sofala provincial police commander Alfredo Mussa told reporters the convoys would last for an indefinite period. There are two convoys a day in each direction, travelling only in daylight hours.

Mussa warned that motorists foolhardy enough to travel outside the convoys could expect no assistance from the defence and security forces.

But Renamo attacks are not restricted to the Save-Muxungue stretch. Sofala police said that on Wednesday there were five attacks on civilian vehicles further north, between the districts of Maringue and Caia.

One of the vehicles attacked belonged to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), prompting the FAO office in Maputo has restricted travel by its staff in the central provinces.

- Africa News Agency

 

[CAustin]

Not a good situation!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Mozamabiuw News Agency

Maputo — The Mozambican police have reintroduced a system of convoys under armed escort for vehicles travelling on the 100 kilometre stretch of the country's main north-south highway between the Save river and the small town of Muxungue, in the central province of Sofala.

Such convoys, to protect vehicles, drivers and passengers against attack by gunmen of the former rebel movement Renamo, were first used during the Renamo insurgency in Sofala in 2013-14. The authorities believed that the Agreement on a Cessation of Military Hostilities, signed by the then President Armando Guebuza and by Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama on 5 September 2014, ended the need for convoys and armed escorts.


But Renamo has torn up the agreement by refusing to disarm, and has sent its militia back onto the roads to attack vehicles. The Sofala provincial head of mobilization for Renamo, Horacio Calavete, claiming to speak on behalf of Dhlakama, publicly announced, on 8 February, that Renamo would block the main roads running through Sofala.

Three days later, attacks on the Save-Muxungue road resumed. In response the police reintroduced convoys under armed escort, the first one of which made the journey on Wednesday without incident.

The Sofala provincial police commander, Alfredo Mussa, cited in Friday's issue of the Maputo daily “Noticias”, said the convoys will last for an indefinite period, and the system seeks to guarantee the free circulation of people and goods.


The convoys will only operate during the day, and not at night. There are two convoys in each direction. The first sets out from the Save at 07.00, reaching Muxungue about an hour and a half later. The return convoy leaves Muxungue at 09.00. In the afternoon, the convoy sets off from the Save at around 14.00, with the return trip from Muxungue scheduled for 17.00.

Motorists are not exactly forbidden from making the journey on their own, but Mussa warned that the defence and security forces will take no responsibility for anyone driving along the road outside of the convoys.




But Renamo attacks are not restricted to the Save-Muxungue stretch. The Sofala police announced that on Wednesday there were five attacks on civilian vehicles further north, between the districts of Maringue and Caia.

A father and son of Guinean nationality were in one of the trucks stopped by Renamo. After their ordeal, they spoke to the independent television station STV, and told of how they had heard the gunmen discussing whether to kill them or not. They said there were about ten men who staged the ambush, and they had no doubt they were from Renamo. They wore Renamo's standard green uniforms, and spoke freely about Renamo.

One of the vehicles attacked on Wednesday belonged to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). As a result, according to a report in the independent newssheet “Mediafax”, the FAO office in Maputo has restricted travel by its staff in the central provinces. Only with guaranteed security will FAO personnel be allowed to travel.

“This is a serious incident, and while we do not have right now sufficient information about the circumstances surrounding the event, we are implementing a restriction on travel, with immediate effect, to all field missions in Sofala, Manica, Tete and Zambezia”, said an internal FAO note.


An FAO security official named only as Dauto refused to comment on the note to “Mediafax”. He tried to minimize the consequences of the attack, and claimed that FAO activities were continuing “normally”.

This wave of attacks has stirred the European Union into demanding that Renamo put an immediate stop to its ambushes. An EU source cited by the Portuguese news agency Lusa expressed concern at the “general deterioration” in the security situation, and said Renamo attacks on the roads should “stop immediately”.

This EU diplomat called on all parties to refrain from violence and to rebuild mutual trust as a prelude to dialogue, and demanded an end to threats and intimidation that " aggravate the political environment in Mozambique".