Mozambique: Suspected Renamo gunmen target bus in Manica province on June 28

Event

Gunmen believed to be linked to the Renamo Military Junta ambushed a bus on the EN1 highway in Manica province on Sunday, June 28, killing one person. At least four other passengers are reported to have been wounded in the attack in the Inchope area of the province, near the EN1-EN6 crossroads. The injured were transported to hospitals in Gondola and Chimoio but there were no immediate reports of subsequent security operations in the area.

Further low-level attacks by Renamo rebels are likely in Manica province in the medium term.

Context

In August 2019, the Peace and National Reconciliation Agreement was signed between President Filipe Nyusi and Renamo leader Ossufo Momade which called for the immediate disarmament and reintegration into society of more than 5000 Renamo rebels.

While Renamo's political leaders remain committed to the ongoing peace process and the August 2019 ceasefire agreement, several small factions have rejected the deals negotiated by Momade and threatened to continue insurgent attacks until he resigns. The splinter group, known locally as the Renamo Military Junta, has staged dozens of attacks on security forces and civilian vehicles on highways in the central provinces of Manica and Sofala since Frelimo's controversial victory in the October 2019 general election, continuing tactics used extensively by the group during the 2013-2016 insurgency. However, Momade and other Renamo leaders have claimed that the rebel faction has insufficient support, capabilities, and resources to sustain a significant insurgency campaign.

Advice

Those in Manica province are advised to monitor developments and should heed all directives issued by local authorities, including travelling in escorted convoys where possible.