Renamo has asked for the disclosure of the agreement which saw Rwandan troops sent to Cabo Delgado. A Frelimo deputy says, however, that “there is no legal provision which entrusts parliament with overseeing defence and security policy”. The Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo) this Thursday (28-10) demanded that the agreement with Rwanda which framed the sending of troops to fight the armed insurgency in Cabo Delgado be made public.
“What is required is that they present to us the agreement that the President of the Republic signed with [Rwandan president] Paul Kagame,” Renamo deputy José Manteigas said on the second day of government questions in parliament. The same request was made in September by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD Mozambique), in whose opinion the Mozambican government should disclose all bilateral decisions.
Manteigas brushed aside the argument presented by the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) on Wednesday that no war or a state of siege had been declared.
“Frelimo deputies said that in Cabo Delgado there is disorder or armed conflict. And Mozambicans are asking themselves: if so, what is the basis for recruiting foreign forces? After all, don’t our Defence and Security Forces have the ability to eliminate simple disorder?” he asked.
Manteigas accused Frelimo deputies of “cowardice” for accepting without demur that the President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi, could decide on the entry of foreign troops without consulting the Assembly of the Republic.
In that case, “there is an exclusion of Mozambicans from decision-making processes”, he considered, wondering if this is not facing “a new horse-trading which calls into question the resources” of the country, alluding to the so-called ‘hidden debts’ corruption scandal.
Overseeing security policy
The answer came from Frelimo deputy Antonio Boene, who cited several mechanisms tp prove that “there is no constitutional or legal provision which gives the Assembly of the Republic the power to oversee or monitor” defence and security policy or authorise the head of state regarding strategies in this sector.
The constitution “is silent on the procedures that must be followed to invite foreign troops to act in our country in support of our Defence and Security Forces”, he added.
In any case, Boene considered that “this requirement is not called for in the present case” due to the fact that we are bound by “agreements assumed by the State”, understandings which, in the case of Rwanda, date back to 1990. Boene concluded by congratulating Filipe Nyusi for what he dubbed a “wise decision” regarding support received for Cabo Delgado.
Armed groups have terrorized the province of Cabo Delgado since 2017, with some attacks claimed by the Islamic State extremist group.
Since July, an offensive by government troops with international support has recovered several areas from the rebels, including the town of Mocímboa da Praia, occupied by them since August, 2020.