19 February 2008
Maputo — The leader of Mozambique's former rebel movement Renamo, Afonso Dhlakama, distributed last week 30 pairs of uniforms to Renamo supporters among traditional leaders in Chiure district, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, an act which the local government initially described as illegal.
Cited in Tuesday's issue of the Maputo daily "Noticias", Antonio Ntchonho, the interim Chiure district administrator, denounced Dhlakama for supposedly attempting to usurp state powers.
"Only the state has the responsibility to give uniforms to community leaders, those whose status was legitimized during a process that we all know", said Ntchonho. "This is a flagrant way to try and destabilize society. This is an illegal and irresponsible act that must be ignored".
He told reporters that the uniforms (trousers, shirt and hat) distributed by Dhlakama are dark green - and thus quite unlike the beige uniforms distributed by the Mozambican state to recognised chiefs and other leaders. Those who received this clothing were chosen by Renamo, and are not among the community leaders recognised by the district government.
These "leaders" also each received a Renamo flag, to be displayed in front of their homes.
"The uniforms were made here in Chiure. To us it seems an attempt to build a state within a state. We do not know what Renamo's motives are", said Ntchono.
Cornelio Quivela, a senior Renamo figure in Cabo Delgado, described the government's reaction as the ruling party's "manoeuvres", seeing problems where none exist. He defended Dhlakama, saying that he had merely offered clothing to dance groups and to elderly citizens who are Renamo sympathisers.
He admitted that these gifts form part of a Renamo campaign, ahead of next year's general elections.
"Offering clothes is not usurping state powers. They don't complain when we offer balls to children in the villages, they did not complain when the President (Dhlakama) offered five tonnes of foodstuffs in Caia district (for flood victims), but today it is a problem to offer clothes to traditional leaders, who are our sympathisers in Chiure. Where is the problem?', asked Quivela, who is accompanying Dhlakama in this tour of Cabo Delgado.
Following a meeting between Renamo delegation and the district government about this issue, Ntchonho climbed down, and expressed satisfaction about the consensus the meeting reached, though he claimed there was still one point that has to be discussed at government's higher level.
"We have agreed that they (Renamo) are to go and tell people themselves that those uniforms do not mean they are being legitimized as traditional authorities", he said. "But one point has to be noted, which is this - what is the meaning of a man in uniform, with a flag in front of his house?".
Ntchonho said that he was happy about the way the two parties conducted the talks, but claimed the issue of the flags would depend on consideration by "higher level bodies".
But in reality there is nothing to discuss. There is no Mozambican law forbidding people from flying flags in front of their houses, or from wearing dark green trousers and shirts - which could not possibly be confused with any official or military uniform.
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