Mozambican Prime Minister Pascoal Mocumbi has said the RENAMO opposition party of former rebels behaved irresponsibly in launching protests this week that left 38 dead, press reports here said.
"This situation results from the irresponsible behavior of leaders of RENAMO who called the demonstrations which quickly turned into clashes when in this country there is climate favorable to the development of political action" within the framework of democracy, Mocumbi told Publico daily.
RENAMO staged protests on Thursday and Friday at what it claimed were rigged general elections in December 1999.
In northern and central Mozambique, where RENAMO's support is strongest, the protests turned into violent clashes with police, and at least 38 people were killed.
"The government is trying to make Mozambique a country where all Mozambicans can live together despite their different ideas about politics and development," Mocumbi told the paper.
He rejected the accusations of rigging, claiming RENAMO leader Afonso Dhlakama "on one hand has a strong parliamentary showing which takes part in debates, and on the other, he says he does not accept the electoral results."
RENAMO's opposition alliance won 117 seats in the December elections, but legislators boycotted parliament until last month.
A Supreme Court challenge came down against RENAMO, as the justices declared the voting orderly.
Mocumbi said the protests, which were suspended Saturday, would have "negative repercussions" on RENAMO's image -- LISBON (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
