The Mozambican authorities are issuing arrest warrants for three members of the country's main opposition party Renamo held responsible "for inciting the violentclashes" between supporters and the police last Monday and Tuesday.

The clashes, which took place in the northern town of Mocimboa da Praia, left at least eight people dead and 47 injured.

According to a Sunday report on Radio Mozambique, the list of those wanted includes the Renamo defeated candidate in May's mayoral election in Mocimboa da Praia, Saide Assane, and two Renamo members of parliament, Armindo Milaco and Ali Mocutunha.

Renamo refused to accept Assane's defeat in May by the candidate of the ruling Frelimo Party Amadeu Pedro, and threatenedto make it impossible for Pedro to govern the town.

Last Sunday, Renamo swore Assane into office, claiming that he was the real mayor. Although this was a meaningless act, it raisedtensions, and was the trigger for the conflict between Renamo supporters and the police.

Beside, a further 12 people are already in police custody, accused of burning down the homes of their political opponents. Groups of both Renamo and Frelimo supporters took part in the arson.

During the wave of violence, a Renamo gang destroyed the homes of Amadeu Pedro, his two sisters and the Frelimo Mocimboa da Praiafirst secretary, Momade Sumail, and Frelimo destroyed the home of the local Renamo delegate.

Despite local media reported that normality had returned to thetown on Friday, schools in the town had not yet reopened, largely because many pupils had fled.

Particularly worrying are reports that violence has spilled beyond the boundaries of the Mocimboa da Praia municipality and into villages elsewhere in Mocimboa da Praia district. Local mediareported the destruction of houses in some other villages in the district.

Source: Xinhua