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The Conflict with Renamo, 1976-1992
November 1991
Dossier MZ-0020
141. Renamo Ignores the 1990 Ceasefire
Attacks, Kidnappings and Sabotage Continue
Above: Renamo's tactics often included attacks on lines of rail, by ambushing passenger and goods trains, or by damaging track in order to derail trains and interrupt rail traffic for periods of time. The attack on a coal train near Ressano Garcia in late November was caused by a landmine and damage was severe. The photograph above shows the aftermath of a similar attack on a train in 1990
Despite the year-old ceasefire agreement of December 1990, Renamo activities in November included the kidnapping of some workers and students in Bilene in Gaza province, an attack on the control tower at Beira airport, murders and kidnappings in Cumbana district in Inhambane, the destruction of a goods train by a landmine, and an assault on the radio station in Inhambane in which three policemen were killed. The ongoing conflict caused "untold suffering" and trauma, especially among young children; it was estimated that about two-thirds of the population lived in conditions of extreme poverty, a situation made worse by drought and poor harvests.
In a minor diplomatic spat, the German Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES), which funded research and conferences in Mozambique, was accused by the government of interfering in local politics; the FES had paid for trips and meetings by opposition figures, and was accused of favouring federalism, an idea that the Frelimo Party strongly opposed.
Click on the yellow folder image below to download an unsorted zipped archive of documents and press clippings in PDF format concerning the armed conflict between Renamo/MNR and the Mozambican government in November 1991.
