Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame arrived in Maputo on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the signing ceremony of the Mozambican Peace and Reconciliation Agreement to be penned between the ruling Frelimo party and former guerrilla movement Renamo.
The two sides have been locked in a civil war since the southern African nation gained its independence from Portugal in 1975.
The latest peace agreement marks the third attempt to secure a lasting peace deal between the two long-time rivals since 1992.
It comes following a Thursday agreement between President Filipe Nyusi and Renamo leader Ossufo Momade to formally end hostilities.
The pact was the culmination of a lengthy peace process that was initiated by Afonso Dhlakama, Renamo’s former leader, who died in May 2018.
It comes just two months ahead of the country’s general elections that are scheduled for October 15. With good implementation of the terms agreed, the deal could play a significant role in ensuring stability in the country during that election period.
One of the agreements set out in the peace pact was the initiation of a disarmament program that would rid the country of illegal arms.
Since the start of the war between Renamo and Frelimo, more than a million people have been killed, with millions of others forced to flee their homes.
The peace agreement hopes to ensure lasting peace in the country, which would give it a platform to transform from being one of the least developed nations in the world.
The peace would also allow the country explore its natural resources as it bids to alleviate its people out of poverty.
Mozambique is said to have huge natural gas and coal deposits.
This afternoon, President Kagame arrives in Maputo, Mozambique for the Signing Ceremony of the country’s Peace and Reconciliation Agreement. pic.twitter.com/ndPeXLAh9u
— Presidency | Rwanda (@UrugwiroVillage) August 6, 2019
