Renamo leader recognizes internal tensions and calls for unity

O president of Renamo, Ossufo Momade, today recognized internal tensions in the Mozambican party, calling for a return to the principles of the organization to strengthen unity, but without commenting on its future, despite the challenge.

“ I recognize that we live in times of internal tension. I recognize that there are different maps, ambitions and readings about the direction of the party. I did not come here to deny the disagreement because a party without divergence is a lifeless party”, said Ossufo Momade, at the opening of the third meeting of the Renamo National Council, which takes place for two days in Maputo.

The leader spoke to about 200 participants, among senior leaders and members of the historic force of the Mozambican opposition, at a time when his leadership continues to be challenged by internal sectors of the party.

According to Ossufo Momade, diversity of opinions is not a weakness, but a demonstration of democratic maturity.

“What cannot exist is the divergence that turns into rupture, the criticism that turns into injury and the debate that turns into internal war”, he said, without ever clarifying his future.

The President of Renamo argued that party unity must be based on trust, frank dialogue, respect for statutes and the ability to find collective solutions to common problems.

“ If this house has been able to overcome the loss of its two greatest symbols, we will not allow it to be hurt by vanity, by the dispute and ambition to rob power. Nothing justifies that we hand-kissed our opponents the victory they never achieved in the popular vote ", he said.

For Ossufo Momade, the solution to the current problems of the organization is to put the collective interest above the internal differences and rescue the principles that guided the party throughout its history.

“ Let us return to the source, let us return to the time when the team shared the last prayer. Let us go back to those who know that the cause is greater than any of us ", appealed.

Renamo's spokesman, Marcial Macome, has advanced that the National Council, which has 120 advisers from the organization, should also appreciate a bill for the recognition of the founders of the organization, André Matsangaissa and Afonso Dhlakama, as national heroes.

“ This proposal will be debated at the level of the National Council and, once approved, will be submitted to the Assembly of the Republic so that they can be considered national heroes”, he said.

Among the points on the agenda of the meeting is the definition of the date of the next National Congress, which should decide, among other matters, on the succession of the party's leadership.

In previous statements to Lusa, Renamo's spokesman pushed away the possibility of Ossufo Momade leaving the party's presidency during the National Council, but reiterated that the leader will not be a candidate for his succession at the next congress, which is not scheduled and will be the subject of the second day of this meeting.

The realization of the National Council was defended by the internal critics of Ossufo Momade, including former deputy António Muchanga, who has publicly appealed to leave the leader of Renamo.

For several months old guerrillas have demanded the resignation of Ossufo Momade, accusing him of mismanagement of the party, lack of payment of pensions and subsidies and inability to respond to the current internal crisis.

On October 2, representatives of former combatants demanded to participate in this National Council, warning that they will not give the party “shock” if they are excluded from the process.

Presidential candidate supported by Renamo in the general elections of 2024, Ossufo Momade obtained 6% of the vote, the worst result ever for a party-supported candidate, who also lost the status of main opposition for Podemos.