Sixteen Point Declaration of the Mozambique National Resistance (Renamo)

1. Since 1964, the people of Mozambique are dying daily, the victims of war.

2. It is imperative therefore, that all true nationalists and peace lovers, affiliated or not with any political organization, should make all efforts to mobilise the effective means at their disposal in order to find a genuine Mozambican and African solution conducive to lasting peace and stability.

3. The people of Mozambique need freedom. It is freedom that precedes stability, prosperity and respect for individual traditions.

4. We believe it is a prevailing principle that the people are sovereign and have inalterable (sic) rights to elect their leader that will serve their expectations and essential traditions.

5. Renamo is an active political force in Mozambique's political arena. Any peace solution must take into consideration this reality as well as traditions, culture, present stage of development and other present realities.

6. It is not Renamo's intention to change the existing order in Mozambique through armed struggle.

7. Renamo will never consent that military force be utilized in order to impose leadership or political options contrary to the will of the people.

8. None of the involved parties in this conflict has anything to gain from the continuance of this war. Only the people's suffering is aggravated every day.

9. Verbal attacks should be avoided by those who are fighting as well as by those who are directly interested in our country and the region. We should emphasise the future and not the past.

10. Propaganda against Renamo will not change the political and military reality in Mozambique.

11. The presence of the foreign forces brought by Frelimo did not bring peace or well-being for our people. We in Renamo see this presence as an obstacle to peace. Additionally, it signifies an outrage to our dignity and loss of our sovereignty and independence.

12. For the resolution of the present conflict, Renamo takes into consideration the neighbouring and regional interests to continue the process.

13. Renamo has committed itself to continuing the present peace initiative. Renamo will make all efforts to continue the process.

14. Renamo stands for the population of Mozambique and is against any massacre or violation of the population. Renamo is a people's force. Its strength lies with the people.

15. Renamo is a guerrilla force, whose survival depends on the people and therefore is by nature against massacres or violations of the people. Renamo's reason for existence is the people.

16. Renamo wants a genuine negotiation conducive to national reconciliation without victors or vanquished and without recrimination followed by constitutional reform; to unite efforts in order to form a new Mozambique where brotherhood will be affirmed by free debate of ideas and decision of consensus; a new Mozambique where armed struggle need never be the last and only resort for the solution of our problems.

Taken from Renamo's Press Release "In Search for Peace: Renamo's Reply to Frelimo's Proposals," Nairobi, 15 August 1989.

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