MAPUTO, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The leader of Renamo, the main opposition party in Mozambique, said on Thursday he is considering to extend a truce with the government.
"War is not a good thing. Those that hate democracy think they can end with the opposition using cannons are wrong," Afonso Dlhakama said. "War doesn't solve anything but only brings mourning. That's why I gave truce and I will extend it in the coming days."
The outcome will depend on the feedback from the government as peace talks are still in progress, Dlhakama told members of his party in a conference call in central Tete province.
According to local media reports, Dlhakama said truce cannot be a decision from only one side while the other is not corresponding, because this has led to problems before. He mentioned a peace agreement signed in Rome in 1992.
"Renamo complied with the agreement while Frelimo (the ruling party) alleged that it was finished. Now we are renegotiating as brothers, because nobody wins with war, but we all win with peace in Mozambique," he said.
A truce, in place since late December, has been holding despite a few incidents. Dlhakama appealed to members of his party to stay away from provocations and do their best to permit the country to live in a tranquility and harmony.
If successful, it would be the fourth time that the truce has been extended. The first was in December for few days, the second in January, and the third started in March and will be ending in early May.
