Africa-Press – Mozambique. Political scientist Albino Manguene asks how the international commission scheduled to travel to Cabo Delgado in northern Mozambique in January 2024, will reach the insurgent leaders to talk and agree peace.
The international commission’s visit was announced in Angola by the Islamic Council of Mozambique president, Sheikh Aminuddin Muhammad, who is also a member of the Council of State in Mozambique.
READ: Mozambique: Commission hoping for talks with Cabo Delgado insurgents in January 2024 – Sheikh Aminuddin in Angola
Manguene considers the initiative commendable, but asks who the interlocutor on the part of the terrorists will be.
In an interview with DW Africa, Manguene says that, at a time when terrorists are weakened due to the loss of many of their leaders, any negotiation would be an option for avoiding complete military humiliation.
In an interview with DW, Manguene also asks how any dialogue with the leaders of terrorist groups would take place.
DW Africa: Do you believe that this step will be decisive in achieving the much-desired peace in Cabo Delgado?
Albino Manguene (AM): If it comes to fruition, it is commendable and desirable. Since 2017, we have been in a conflict that has almost no end in Cabo Delgado. Despite there being a kind of return to normality, the population still lives in uncertainty when it comes to security. There are some pockets that are targets of attack, and even where there are [not], they fear that these attacks will return. Although the defence and security forces, together with international forces, are controlling the situation, the end of terrorism in Cabo Delgado has not yet been declared.
DW Africa: According to the president of the Islamic Council of Mozambique, Sheikh Aminuddin Muhammad, it will be a commission made up of members from neighbouring countries, the Southern African Development Community and the European Union. Could this facilitate dialogue?
AM: I repeat: if this happens, it is commendable, because it will guarantee us a situation of peace and stability in Cabo Delgado.
DW Africa: After all, who are you going to talk to since, publicly, the group never presented its leaders?
AM: I ask myself, as a person oblivious to everything that is happening, where and how will it start? Who will to solicit this negotiation dialogue? Unless the Islamic council knows the individuals, is aware of their location and, through that, contact reaches the leadership of the insurgents, this is possible.
However, there is doubt about the possibility of this happening. I believe that the government would be in a more privileged position [to undertake this]. But also bearing in mind that it could be a war with religious complications, perhaps some success on this side could be celebrated.
DW Africa: Will it be possible to definitively end the Cabo Delgado problem through dialogue? Would terrorists be available to talk?
AM: I believe so. Bearing in mind that most of the insurgents’ leaders have been killed, they are in a weakened situation. Generally, at this stage, in order not to end up defeated, a negotiation generates a position of comfort, because it gives them a feeling of heroism, of someone who is recognised, and attributes potential.
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