Maputo - Gunmen have attacked civilian vehicles on Mozambique’s main north-south highway, prompting fears vehicles might have to be accompanied by a military escort when using this stretch of road.
The ambush took place 12km from the small town of Muxungue, in the central province of Sofala, at about 6.30am on Thursday.
Five vehicles came under fire, including a ministry of health truck transporting medicine. Three people were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Police spokeswoman Sididi Paulo said no decision had been taken on whether military escorts would accompany vehicles on the highway.
“Teams from the defence and security forces are on the terrain monitoring the situation,” she said. “We will see whether it is necessary to re-introduce the escort.”
The 100km stretch of highway was one of the main focuses in Renamo’s low-level insurgency in 2013-2014.
After the first ambushes, in June 2013, authorities decided vehicles could only use the road in convoy and under military escort.
This system remained in force until then-president Armando Guebuza and Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama signed an agreement on cessation of military hostilities in September 2014.
The ambush near Muxungue came three days after Renamo’s head of mobilisation in Sofala, Horacio Calavete, promised to set up armed Renamo roadblocks on the country’s key highways.
Meanwhile, Dhlakama has said he is now willing to meet President Filipe Nyusi but with pre-conditions.
Dhlakama said the conditions included guarantees for his own safety and mediation by the Catholic Church and by President Jacob Zuma.
However, the South African government has denied it had been approached by Dhlakama.
Independent Foreign Service