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The Conflict with Renamo, 1976-1992
«September 1988»
Dossier MZ-0020
103. Calisto Meque Killed in Zambézia
Above: A group of "mutilados da guerra" – the Mozambican term for people wounded during the conflict, often by having stepped on anti-personnel land-mines, and including both soldiers and civilians.
The Renamo commander Calisto Meque, who had played an important role in the rebel advance down the Zambezi valley in 1986, was killed together with 29 other fighters in an action at Gilé, in Zambézia province. Gilé had been in Renamo hands for two years when it was reoccupied by the FPLM in July.
Africa Confidential carried a long analysis of struggles for control of Renamo between the South African military, most especially Maj.-Gen. C. J. van Tonder, and elements in the American CIA. The piece described how this had become even more important after the damage to Renamo's reputation inflicted by the US State Department's "Gersony Report".
The FPLM claimed major successes in both Zambézia and Nampula provinces, with 350 Renamo killed in the former in the months of June and July, and 348 killed in Nampula in the first six months of 1988.
Maputo radio reported a 27-hour battle at Malanga in Niassa province, during which a force of over 300 Renamo fighters were put to flight. Various armaments and other war materiel was captured.
Click on the yellow folder image below to download an unsorted zipped archive of documents and press clippings in PDF format concerning the conflict between the Mozambican government and the MNR/Renamo in September 1988.
