Mozambique: Guebuza Condemns Attack Against Simango

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Chokwe — Mozambican President Armando Guebuza has strongly condemned the assassination attempt on Tuesday against Daviz Simango, mayor of Beira and president of the newly formed opposition party, the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM).

The incident occurred when armed men belonging to the "Presidential Guard" of Afonso Dhlakama, leader of the former rebel movement Renamo, attacked a rally that was to be addressed by Simango in the northern city of Nacala. Two of the Renamo group overwhelmed a police officer and seized his AK-47 rifle, which was then used to shoot at Simango's vehicle. The gun was later recovered from the Nacala house where Dhlakama is staying.

Guebuza said the attack arose from "an attempt to prevent the use of freedom of expression, a right which each and every one of us enjoys". The attack on Simango "is also an attack on the consolidation of our young and vibrant multi-party democracy", he added.

"Respect for the constitutionally enshrined freedom of citizens is obligatory for all of us, including political parties and their members and supporters", he stressed.

Guebuza concluded by calling on Mozambicans to promote "national unity, the culture of peace, dialogue and tolerance".

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Fonte: Allafrica.com