Mozambique's main opposition leader Afonso Dhlakama dies

MAPUTO, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Afonso Dhlakama, leader of the main opposition party Renamo in Mozambique has died at the age of 65, when he was aboard a helicopter that was transporting him to medical treatment after a severe diabetic crisis, according to sources close to the Renamo's leadership.

Afonso Dhlakama had been hiding in the bush of Gorongosa since late 2014, when the ceasefire agreement was broken between him and the government headed by Armando Guebuza, the country's former president.

The current President, Filipe Nyusi, went to Gorongosa to meet Afonso Dhlakama for three times and has been promoting the dialogue with him to discuss decentralized resolutions and military matters, specifically the disarmament and integration of Renamo's men into the Defense and Security Forces of Mozambique.

This is an unprecedented event in the history of the Renamo, since Dhlakama has led the party for almost 40 years.

Dhlakama lost the presidential election five times, claiming several losses in all the electoral years, the biggest odds was in 2014, which the party claims to have won in six districts in northern Mozambique.

Dhlakama promised to get out of the woods as soon as parliament approved the document revising the constitution, submitted by President Filipe Nyusi to parliament, on consensus reached between the two party leaders. Enditem