Brasilia — Mozambican President Armando Guebuza has downplayed recent threats by Afonso Dhlakama, leader of the former rebel movement Renamo, to go back to war, describing them as emotional outbursts.

Guebuza was speaking in Brasilia, answering questions from the Brazilian television programme "O Reporter".

Dhlakama was reported as threatening a renewed war because of alleged "provocations" by the ruling Frelimo Party.

"I think he was speaking emotionally", said Guebuza, "perhaps because the Congress of his party is going badly. I think they are declarations from somebody who feels he is at a disadvantage".

Guebuza believed that such threats were empty. The reality in Mozambique and in the southern African region meant that it was no longer possible to embark on a new war. He pointed out that in the past racist regimes (in Rhodesia and South Africa) were hostile to countries where majority rule had triumphed. It was these regimes which has waged war against Mozambique, using Renamo as one of their tools.

"I think that deep down he (Dhlakama) knows that he can no longer wage any war", added Guebuza. "These declarations or threats are just part of an election campaign, since we will have general and provincial elections in October".