By ARNALDO VIEIRA

More by this Author

The Mozambican opposition Renamo party says it remains united despite the death of its founder Afonso Dhlakama.

The O Pais newspaper quoted the Renamo Secretary-General, Mr Manuel Bissopo, saying Dhlakama remained their source of inspiration.

Mr Bissopo was speaking on Saturday at Mangunde in Chibabava District in Sofala Province, during a ceremony to celebrate the life and works of Mr Dhlakama.

Mr Dhlakama died on May 3 and was buried at Mangunde, his rural home.

Heart attack

According to Renamo, Mr Dhlakama died of an unconfirmed heart attack.

“He disappeared but left strong tools. I have to say the party is also strong and united,” the O Pais quoted Mr Bissopo as saying.

Mr Dhlakama, who mixed guerrilla warfare with opposition politics, died aged 65.

For 39 years, Mr Dhlakama led Renamo, which fought a 16-year war against the ruling Frelimo party until 1992 and then emerged as an opposition party that still retained armed fighters.

Peace process

Mr Dhlakama had since 2013 been in hiding in the remote Gorongosa mountains, as sporadic conflict again erupted in Mozambique.

But he later held meetings with President Felipe Nyusi, and he was seen as playing a key role in the country's developing peace process.

President Nyusi and Mr Dhlakama met in February in Gorongosa to discuss disarmament and reintegration.

They had agreed on constitutional reforms that would decentralise power.