Recently in Pretoria, South Africa

THE air that engulfed the joint Southern African Development Community (SADC)-International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (SADC-ICGLR) summit which discussed armed activities of Renamo in Mozambique and problems in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Pretoria, South Africa on Monday was that of hope and regions seized with the key issue of peace and stability in the continent.
That the summit touched on Mozambique which was initially not on the agenda spoke volumes about SADC’s commitment to peace in the region.
This raised the possibility that another SADC summit on Mozambique could be in the offing and that the regional bloc could intervene in the conflict if need be.
Renamo recently returned to the bush after laying down its weapons 21 years ago.
Strikingly was the presence of President Robert Mugabe who has become the light of Africa due to his stance against Western nations who have committed to destabilise peace in Africa.
Zimbabwe has said it is keeping a close eye on events taking place in Mozambique.
Speaking to journalists soon after arrival on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Minister, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi said the summit had expressed concern over the activities of RENAMO in Mozambique and called for an immediate solution to the destabilising mission.
“The summit took note of the developments in Mozambique and the activities of RENAMO and insisted that RENAMO should forthwith stop its rebellious activities,” said Mumbengegwi.
“What RENAMO is doing in Mozambique is unconstitutional and the summit urged RENAMO to respect the country’s constitution.”
The development comes amid revelations that the MDC-T and the American government are allegedly funding RENAMO with a view of destabilising Zimbabwe, particularly the Chiadzwa area where diamonds are being mined by various companies.
As the South Africa summit took place, the media reported that the situation remained tense in Mozambique as opposition and former rebel leader Afonso Dhlakama who recently ended a 21-year- old peace agreement with the ruling party FRELIMO insisted that he would not give up arms until his demands are met.
The echoes of a 16-year civil war between RENAMO and FRELIMO that resulted in the deaths of around one million people have rung louder in the past few days following Dhlakama’s decision to break ranks with FRELIMO last month.
But on Monday ICGLR joined SADC in reaffirming its commitment to solving the situation in Mozambique by ‘strongly condemning recent acts of violence being perpetrated by RENAMO in Mozambique.
Meanwhile in Harare, Director Generals from the continent’s intelligence arms told journalists that they were worried over the escalation of terrorism in Africa following RENAMO’s renewed rebellion.
Isaac Moyo, the executive secretary of the Committee of the Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA) warned RENAMO against its continued terrorism activities in Mozambique saying they were aimed at destabilising the region.
“We as CISSA did recognise that RENAMO should be managed in such a way that it doesn’t become a terrorist front,” Moyo was quoted as saying in the local media.
“We are assured by pronouncements from Mozambique and Zimbabwe that the situation could be contained before it degenerates into what we have in other parts of the continent.”
A day after the South Africa meeting, the Mozambique’s revived rebel movement turned down the country’s government invite for high level talks to quell the possible reignition of another civil war.
RENAMO spokesperson Fernando Mazanga said the invite was, “a political propaganda campaign without minimal respect for ethics.”
Minister Mumbengegwi said the two regions, SADC and the Great Lakes supported the DRC’s position against M23 rebels.
Kinshasa and the rebels recently agreed to stop fighting in the eastern parts of the country, but the DRC government has said the M23 should publicly denounce its attacks on civilians before any peace agreement can be signed.
But there are growing fears in the SADC and Great Lakes regions that the M23 rebels which is reportedly being funded by some Western governments is actually regrouping for more consolidated attacks.
In the past, the M23 rebels have breached ceasefire agreements with the DRC government, and the Intervention Brigade defeating them.
This, Minister Mumbengegwi said, should cajole the rebels into dialogue with the DRC government.
“The most important point is that all the two regions (SADC and Great Lakes) are in full support of the DRC,” said Minister Mumbengegwi.
“Even those countries which have in the past taken positions against the DRC have now joined to support stability and the territorial integrity of the DRC.”
While the DRC and Mozambique are facing threats to peace in their nations, it is the refreshing and united voice against the acts of terrorism being perpetrated by the rebels that has brought a glimmer of hope in the continent.
The attempts by those funding and supporting the rebels to sneak in and lay their hands on our resources will no doubt be foiled.