Renamo Accuses President Chapo of Undermining Peace Agreement Amid Political Tensions
Mozambique’s main opposition party, Renamo, has accused President Daniel Chapo of violating the 2019 Peace and Reconciliation Agreement by drawing parallels between the ongoing protests and the party’s actions during the country’s civil war. Renamo claims that Chapo’s statements are reopening historical wounds and threatening national reconciliation efforts.
During a recent visit to Cabo Delgado, Chapo linked the ongoing demonstrations to past Renamo activities, the Naparama vigilante movement, and the Islamist insurgency that has plagued northern Mozambique since 2017. The remarks have sparked outrage within Renamo, which sees them as an attempt to “resurrect the weapons of war” and undermine hard-won peace.
Saimon Macuiane, a senior Renamo figure, told TORRE.News that the opposition party sees no justification for the president invoking its wartime past in discussions about current political unrest. "We signed a definitive peace agreement with the government of Mozambique, which means that chapter is closed. We are in a reconciliation process, and these remarks are alarming. Renamo remains committed to peace and should not be dragged into such narratives," Macuiane stated.
Renamo is currently assessing the situation and is expected to issue an official response, as the party believes such rhetoric could jeopardize the progress made in consolidating peace.
Chapo’s speech in Cabo Delgado remains under intense scrutiny, particularly his comments suggesting that Mozambique was prepared to “shed blood” if necessary to curb violent demonstrations. His remarks come at a time when civil society and political leaders are urging a peaceful, dialogue-driven approach to resolving post-election tensions.
Amid growing controversy, Chapo sought to clarify his stance during a cabinet meeting in Pemba, rejecting claims that his words were inflammatory. "My statements were taken out of context and manipulated to mislead public opinion," the president asserted.
Chapo emphasized that his remarks were specifically directed at violent acts of looting, vandalism, and destruction of public and private property—not at peaceful protests, as some critics have suggested. However, his comments have fueled concerns that the government may be taking a more hardline approach to dissent at a time when Mozambique is navigating deep political and social divisions.
