RENAMO

RENAMO Full Name: Mozambican National Resistance Alias: RENAMO "Armed Bandits" Origin: Mozambique Foundation: 1975 headquarters Nampula, Mozambique Commanders: André Matsangaissa (1975 - 1979) Afonso Dhlakama (1979 - 2018) Ossufo Momade (2018 - present) Goals: Eradicate the Communist FRELIMO government of Mozambique (failed) Crimes: Crimes against humanity War crimes Mass murder Rape Misogyny Xenophobia Homophobia Caucasiophobia Type of Villain: Political Militant Group

The Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO; Portuguese: Resistência Nacional Moçambicana) is a militant organization and political movement in Mozambique. Sponsored by the Rhodesian Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), it was founded in 1975 as part of an anti-communist backlash against the country's ruling FRELIMO party.

History

Initially led by André Matsangaissa, a former senior official in FRELIMO's armed wing, the movement had its roots in a menagerie of anti-FRELIMO dissident groups which mushroomed immediately prior and shortly following Mozambican independence, as well as South African and Rhodesian attempts to encourage these competing interests.

It is clear that RENAMO's ranks were bolstered by Mozambican political exiles who genuinely opposed FRELIMO in principle, and a number of others who were conscripted by force. On 4 October 1992, FRELIMO and RENAMO signed the Rome General Peace Accords, ending the Mozambican Civil War.

Critics of RENAMO frequently decried the movement as a "proxy army" of Rhodesia and later, of South Africa's apartheid government. It has been theorised that RENAMO was formed for the sole purpose of combating Mozambican support for Rhodesian insurgents. On the other hand, RENAMO was also reflective of FRELIMO's own splintering support base and dwindling popularity in the post-independence era. Following the war it has been responsible for promoting constitutional reform as well as a strong domestic private sector.

Matsangaissa, who died in 1979, was succeeded by Afonso Dhlakama, who lead the organization until his death in 2018. Following renewed clashes, a peace agreement was reached between RENAMO and the Mozambique government in August 2019, resulting in the last RENAMO fighters surrendering their arms. RENAMO leader Ossufo Momade vowed afterwards to “maintain peace and national reconciliation.”

Atrocities

During the civil war, RENAMO was guilty of multiple human rights abuses, war crimes, and crimes against humanity (as was FRELIMO, but to a much lesser extent) such as use of child soldiers, use of rape, torture, and mutilation, looting, and forced labor, among other things. Often women would be apprehended while out in the fields, then raped as a means to boost troop morale. Gandira caused widespread starvation among the rural population due to the little time left to produce food for themselves. This caused more and more persons to be physically unable to endure the long transportation marches demanded from them. Refusing to participate in Gandira or falling behind on the marches resulted in severe beating and often execution. Flight attempts were also punished harshly. One particularly gruesome practice was the mutilation and killing of children left behind by escaped parents.

RENAMO's brutal tactics quickly earned it a searing resentment and hate among most Mozambicans who referred to them as "Armed Bandits" and endorsed beatings against them, even pressuring the military into a public execution of four RENAMO rebels in 1983.