“Among the countries who said they wanted to withdraw from the mission was Portugal”, the head of the Mozambican government delegation, José Pacheco, told Lusa News Agency before entering the 99th round of negotiations with the main opposition party Renamo.
Pacheco said that “all the countries that were invited for the first mandate were invited, verbally and in writing to continue for another 60 days”, including the United States, which never actually sent any observers.
The Portuguese defence ministry confirmed it was withdrawing its two officers, who were supposed to be accompanying the disarmament of Renamo and the integration of its men into the defence and security forces, a 125-day process that was blocked throughout.
“The mission ended in February and the Portuguese officers stayed some time more in Mozambique waiting for a decision to continue, but they had not received “any official request in useful time” to keep them there”, the Portuguese ministry said.