This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-23001784

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Mozambique ex-rebel detained amid Sofala attacks Mozambique's Renamo ex-rebels blamed for deadly attacks
(about 1 hour later)
Mozambican police have detained a senior member of the Renamo opposition party as gunmen carry out at least two attacks in the central Sofala province. At least two people have been killed in attacks suspected to have been carried out by opposition Renamo party fighters in central Mozambique, officials say.
Renamo information chief Jeronimo Malagueta was detained in the early hours of Friday, officials said. The shootings happened two days after Renamo information chief Jeronimo Malagueta said the party would "paralyse" roads and a railway link vital to coal exports.
Two days ago, he warned that Renamo would "paralyse" roads and a railway link vital to coal exports as it feared a planned assault on its leader. Police detained him in the early hours of Friday, shortly before the attacks.
The former rebel group ended a 16-year-long guerrilla war in 1992.The former rebel group ended a 16-year-long guerrilla war in 1992.
After Mr Malagueta's arrest suspected Renamo gunmen ambushed vehicles in attacks in Sofala, injuring at least one person, officials said. But fears that its peace accord with the governing Frelimo party could collapse grew late last year, when Renamo leader Alfonso Dhlakama returned to his bush camp in the Gorongosa mountains in central Mozambique.
Renamo has not commented on the attacks, but its spokesman Fernando Mazanga confirmed to the BBC that Mr Malagueta had been detained.
The BBC's Jose Tembe in the capital, Maputo, says political tension has been rising since Renamo leader Alfonso Dhlakama returned to his bush camp in the Gorongosa mountains in central Mozambique late last year.
'Renamo encircled''Renamo encircled'
Renamo has urged its supporters to mass outside the prison in the capital, Maputo, where Mr Malagueta was being held, Reuters news agency reports. On Monday, six soldiers were killed when gunmen attacked an armoury in the central region of Dondo; a large number of weapons were stolen.
Mr Malagueta has been detained for questioning and has not yet been charged, our reporter says. Renamo denied it carried out the raid.
Interior ministry spokesman Pedro Cossa said three shots were fired at a vehicle between the towns of Muxungue and Machanga in Sofala, a Renamo stronghold, on Friday morning. The party has not commented on the latest attacks, but its spokesman Fernando Mazanga confirmed to the BBC that Mr Malagueta had been detained.
Interior Ministry spokesman Pedro Cossa said gunmen ambushed vehicles in at least two attacks in central Sofala province, on the highway linking northern and southern Mozambique.
He said at least two people were killed and five wounded in the attacks.
"I have no doubt that it was Renamo," Mr Cossa is quoted by Reuters news agency as saying."I have no doubt that it was Renamo," Mr Cossa is quoted by Reuters news agency as saying.
State radio reports that a woman was seriously wounded in the attack. The attacks have rekindled memories of the civil war when people were scared to travel and the economy was severely disrupted, reports that BBC's Jose Tembe from the capital, Maputo.
Gunmen also ambushed a vehicle in another attack in the area, though it is unclear whether there were any casualties, our correspondent says. Police have detained Mr Malagueta for questioning and he has not yet been charged, our reporter says.
State radio said rapid-response police units had started patrolling the main north-south highway.State radio said rapid-response police units had started patrolling the main north-south highway.
On Wednesday, Mr Malagueta said Renamo planned to carry out attacks because it was under threat from government forces.On Wednesday, Mr Malagueta said Renamo planned to carry out attacks because it was under threat from government forces.
"Renamo will position itself to stop the circulation of vehicles transporting people and goods, because the government uses these vehicles to transport arms and plain clothed soldiers," he said."Renamo will position itself to stop the circulation of vehicles transporting people and goods, because the government uses these vehicles to transport arms and plain clothed soldiers," he said.
"The government doesn't give us any other option. Renamo is encircled. We are going to lose our leader," he added. "The government doesn't give us any other option. Renamo is encircled. We are going to lose our leader," Mr Malagueta added.
Renamo and the governing Frelimo party fought against each other during Mozambique's brutal civil war, which ended with a peace deal in 1992.Renamo and the governing Frelimo party fought against each other during Mozambique's brutal civil war, which ended with a peace deal in 1992.
A force of about 300 Renamo men have remained armed since the accord, despite efforts to integrate them into the army or police force.A force of about 300 Renamo men have remained armed since the accord, despite efforts to integrate them into the army or police force.
Mr Dhlakama says he needs his own personal bodyguards, and the men usually stay in his bush camp in the Gorongosa mountains.Mr Dhlakama says he needs his own personal bodyguards, and the men usually stay in his bush camp in the Gorongosa mountains.
On Monday, six soldiers were killed when gunmen attacked an armoury in the central region of Dondo; a large number of weapons were stolen. In April, Renamo said it carried out an attack on a police post was attacked in the central Dondo region.
Renamo denied it carried out the raid.
In April, Renamo said it carried out an attack on a police post was attacked in the region.