Purge of Mozambique's opposition

Afonso Dhlakama takes on sole command of Renamo

By Jose Tembe BBC, Maputo

Mozambique's opposition leader has sacked his party's secretary general and its main leadership body.

The Renamo leader, Afonso Dhlakama announced the dismissal of Joaquim Vaz and the dissolution of the national political commission at the party's national council meeting in Beira on Monday.

The political commission is responsible for the day-to-day running of the party.

Mr Dhlakama said that for the next six months he will hold the posts of president and of secretary general of the party.

Mr Vaz had been calling publicly for the reinstatement of the former head of the Renamo parliamentary group, Raul Domingos, who was expelled from Renamo in 2000.

Unpatriotic behaviour

Mr Vaz is being accused of poor performance in his post and of not working for the benefit of the party.

While he holds both leading party posts, Mr Dhlakama will be advised by a newly elected national political commission.

The old commission was dissolved on Sunday for what the spokesperson of the national council, Fernando Mazanga, described as unpatriotic and undemocratic behaviour by its members.

Among those sacked in the dissolution of the commission were two former secretary generals, Jose de Castro and Joao Alexandre.

Analysts say that Renamo is going through the most turbulent period of its history since the party signed the Rome peace accord with the governing Frelimo party in 1992.

Mr Dhlakama has accused Frelimo of disrupting his party with the aim of toppling him from the party leadership.

His accusations came just a few days after leaflets were circulated in northern Mozambique demanding Mr Dhlakama's resignation.