MAPUTO, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi on Friday hailed the country's significant progress in combating terrorism in the northern province of Cabo Delgado and advancing the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) of former RENAMO fighters.
During his speech at the celebration of Peace and National Reconciliation Day here, Nyusi reflected on the devastating impact of the conflict and the strides achieved since the 1992 General Peace Agreement ended Mozambique's brutal civil war.
"With the proclamation of independence in 1975, the Mozambican people once again suffered the horrors of war, driven by racist regimes. Over 1 million innocent Mozambicans lost their lives, and 5 million were forced to flee their homes," Nyusi recalled, emphasizing the heavy toll of the war.
The Mozambican president lauded the vital role of dialogue in achieving peace and highlighted the DDR program's contribution to national reconciliation.
"We have completed disarmament and demobilization, and we are close to finalizing the reintegration phase, with pensions being allocated to combatants in a spirit of national reconciliation," he said.
Nyusi acknowledged that despite challenges that remain in the reintegration process, substantial progress has already been accomplished.
He spoke of recent successes in Cabo Delgado, where insurgent groups have destabilized the region for several years.
"In recent months, we have dismantled key terrorist camps and seized propaganda materials. Attacks have decreased, and communities are gradually returning to their villages," Nyusi said while cautioning that the battle against terrorism is not over yet.
With the country's general elections slated for Oct. 9, Nyusi urged Mozambicans to uphold the spirit of peace and unity.
He also unveiled the creation of a Peace and Reconciliation Memorial in Gorongosa, a district of Sofala Province in central Mozambique, which embodies the country's triumph over past conflicts.
"We want Gorongosa to move beyond its association with political-military confrontations and become a national and international symbol of peace, tolerance, and reconciliation," Nyusi said.
Mozambique's ruling FRELIMO party has been in power since the country's independence in 1975. Shortly after independence, Mozambique was plunged into a civil war from 1977 to 1992 between FRELIMO and the former guerrilla movement RENAMO -- now the country's main opposition. ■
