MAPUTO, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- A group of dissidents from the main opposition party of Mozambique Renamo said on Friday that the government should not recognize Ossufo Momade as Renamo's party leader, or there will be more armed attacks in the central region of the country.
Mariano Nhongo, who is the leader of the group, also known as the "Military Junta", spoke to the press via a teleconference to Maputo.
The recent wave of armed attacks in the central region of the country has culminated in fatalities and destruction of motor vehicles, for which the "Military Junta" has claimed responsibility.
"If the government recognizes that Ossufo Momade does not represent Renamo, there will be no more shooting here, the government must accept that he does not represent the party," Nhongo said, adding that a letter was sent to the government making similar demands but it was not answered.
According to Mariano Nhongo, the letter was addressed to the peace talks contact group as well.
Nhongo said defense and security forces' positions in the region would be attacked if the message is ignored.
Interior Minister Basilio Monteiro said on Thursday that military force would be strengthened to prevent attacks on passenger buses in the region.
The Renamo Military Junta claims that Ossufo Momade and his executive are betraying the ideas of Afonso Dhlakama, the late party leader who died of sickness last May.
