In October 1994 elections for the National Assembly RENAMO won a majority of seats in five of eleven provinces: Nampula, Zambezia, Tete, Manica, and Sofala (Africa Confidential 18 Nov. 1994, 2; United Nations 1995, 64).

Analyzing these electoral results, Africa Confidential reported that RENAMO has

widespread popular support in Tete and central Mozambique, but the mosaic-like picture of electoral returns in Zambezia and Nampula indicates a more complex response, suggesting the importance of local politics and a high percentage of tactical and protest votes, rather than strong grassroots support (20 Jan. 1995, 4).

In those areas controlled by RENAMO, the FRELIMO government of President Joaquim Chissano chose not to appoint a RENAMO governor or provide government jobs to RENAMO supporters (ibid. 14 Apr. 1995, 7). However, Radio Mozambique reported in July 1995 that the government-appointee for district administrator in Muanza was a RENAMO designate (10 July 1995).

The attachments from the United Nations, The Indian Ocean Newsletter and Africa Confidential provide additional analysis on the electoral results.

According to Human Rights Watch World Report 1996, RENAMO "still effectively ran three districts (Maringue, Cheringoma and Muanza), and large parts of three others (Gorongosa, Chibabava and Machanga)," all in Sofala province (HRW 1995, 31). Africa Confidential reported in February 1996 that the government had not established control over areas dominated by RENAMO (2 Feb. 1996, 4). Several sources report that in Dombe in Manica province, a RENAMO stronghold, a little-known rebel group is active, although RENAMO denies any involvement (ibid. 5 Jan. 1996, 6; AFP 9 Mar. 1995; ibid. 17 Feb. 1995; Radio Maputo 3 May 1995).

For additional information on areas controlled by RENAMO and the state of relations between RENAMO and the government in these areas, please consult the attachments.

For information on human rights abuses, please consult Human Rights Watch World Report 1996, which is available at Regional Documentation Centres.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Africa Confidential [London]. 2 February 1996. Vol. 37, No. 3. "Mozambique: A Cloudy Dawn."

_____. 5 January 1996. Vol. 37, No. 1. "Mozambique: Chimwenje or Chimera?"

_____. 14 April 1995. Vol. 36, No. 8. "Mozambique: Underpaid, Underfed and Unruly."

_____. 20 January 1995. Vol. 36, No. 2. "Mozambique: Chissano's Choice."

_____. 18 November 1994. Vol. 35, No. 23. "A New Political Landscape in Mozambique."

Agence France Presse (AFP). 9 March 1995. "Mozambique Warns of Rebel Attacks in Zimbabwe." (NEXIS)

_____. 17 February 1995. "Zimbabwean Rebels Reported in Mozambique." (NEXIS)

Human Rights Watch (HRW). 1995. Human Rights Watch World Report 1996. New York: Human Rights Watch.

Radio Maputo External Service [in English]. 3 May 1995. "Mozambique; Dhlakama Denies Renamo Links with Zimbabwean Dissidents." (BBC Summary 6 May 1995/NEXIS)

Radio Mozambique [Maputo, in Portuguese]. 10 July 1995. "Mozambique; Chissano Begins Visit to Sofala." (BBC Summary 11 July 1995/NEXIS)

United Nations. Department of Public Information. 1995. Blue Book Series, Vol. 5. The United Nations and Mozambique 1992-1995. New York: United Nations.

Attachments

Africa Confidential [London]. 2 February 1996. Vol. 37, No. 3. "Mozambique: A Cloudy Dawn," pp. 4-5.

_____. 5 January 1996. Vol. 37, No. 1. "Mozambique: Chimwenje or Chimera?" pp. 5-6.

_____. 18 November 1994. Vol. 35, No. 23. "A New Political Landscape in Mozambique," p. 2.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 25 July 1995. "RENAMO Denies that Troops Still Armed." (NEXIS)

_____. 9 March 1995. "Mozambique Warns of Rebel Attacks in Zimbabwe." (NEXIS)

_____. 17 February 1995. "Zimbabwean Rebels Reported in Mozambique." (NEXIS)

The Gazette [Montreal]. 11 September 1995. Final Edition. Dele Olojede. "Two Rulers; Three Years After Peace Agreement, Mozambique Remains a Nation Divided." (NEXIS)

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 26 November 1994. No. 648. "Mozambique: Bargaining Strength of RENAMO," p. 3.

Noticias [Maputo, in Portuguese]. 25 February 1995. "Renamo Said Forcibly Recruiting Members." (FBIS-AFR-94-039 28 Feb. 1995, p. 24)

RTP Internacional TV [Lisbon, in Portuguese]. 17 October 1995. "Mozambique; President Concerned by Leader's Actions in Provinces Formerly Controlled by Renamo." (BBC Summary 19 Oct. 1995/NEXIS)

Radio Maputo External Service [in English]. 19 May 1995. "Mozambique; Zambezia Police Find Three Arms Caches in Former Renamo Areas." (BBC Summary 22 May 1995/NEXIS)

_____. 3 May 1995. "Mozambique; Dhlakama Denies Renamo Links with Zimbabwean Dissidents." (BBC Summary 6 May 1995/NEXIS)

_____. 7 March 1995. "Mozambique; Renamo Agrees to Cooperate with Government in Namacurra of Zambezia Province." (BBC Summary 9 March 1995/NEXIS)

Radio Mozambique [Maputo, in Portuguese]. 11 July 1995. "Mozambique; Traditional Chiefs Fail to Welcome Chissano, Renamo Blamed." (BBC Summary 13 July 1995/NEXIS)

_____. 26 May 1995. "Mozambique; Defence Minister Denies Discrimination Against Officers Drawn from Renamo." (BBC Summary 29 May 1995/NEXIS)

_____. 17 February 1995. "Renamo Spokesman Threatens to Divide Country." (FBIS-AFR-95-033 17 Feb. 1995, p. 24)

United Nations. Department of Public Information. 1995. Blue Book Series, Vol. 5. The United Nations and Mozambique 1992-1995. New York: United Nations, p. 64.

Xinhua News Agency. 3 July 1995. "Mozambican Government Moves to Restore Order in Dombe Region." (NEXIS)