https://allafrica.com/stories/202010020869.html
Recently, there have been many violations of human rights ongoing throughout the provinces of Mozambique. Islamic terrorists have also tormented Cabo Delgado, through many beheadings and frequent kidnappings. The “Renamo Military Junta” has also been the cause behind road ambushes in areas of the country. The Renamo party has written a paper calling for the investigation of recent human rights violations to the Assembly of the Republic, but it strangely omits all issues but the first mentioned. The document calls for deputies from various provinces of Mozambique to form a Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry, and investigate the abuse. However, as Renamo is the opposing political party of the governmental party, Frelimo, their proposition is highly unlikely to pass.
I found this article to be concerning on multiple levels. Firstly the violations of human rights, but also learning that the abusers are people in positions of power as members of the defense and security forces. Since the Frelimo party is in power, these abusers are likely members of the party, which would contribute to the proposition not being passed in order to protect the members of their party. I also was struck by what was omitted from the document proposed by the Renamos. The brief mention of other issues going on in Mozambique, of terrorism and road ambushes, highlighted the turmoil the country is in. No action has been taken to combat these issues, and the lack of it hints to politically motivated gains. The lack of action will encourage these acts of terrorism to continue, and the crime rate in the country will continue to increase as well.
This is intertwined with what we’re talking about in class mainly through terminology. The islamic terrorists and the Renamo Military Junta are both examples of non-state actors, as they are both rebel and terrorist groups. The Junta aims to control the Renamo party, and eventually overthrow their opposition: the Frelimo party. However, from Mozambique’s official state name, the Republic of Mozambique, we know that the country is democratically elected. Additionally, governance is how a regime controls a country’s behavior through their political beliefs. In this example, the regime in power won’t agree to investigate claims of human rights abuse, because it was proposed by the opposing party and would reflect badly on themselves.