Mozambican opposition leader reported to have died at 65

JOHANNESBURG – Media in Mozambique say Afonso Dhlakama, the country's main opposition leader who led a rebel group during the civil war that ended in 1992, has died at the age of 65.

Radio Mocambique reported Thursday that Dhlakama died in the Gorongosa area of central Sofala province, where he was based amid sporadic violence involving the Renamo opposition group and security forces backed by the ruling Frelimo party in recent years. However, tensions eased in 2017 as Dhlakama met President Filipe Nyusi in Gorongosa to discuss disputes between the two sides.

The Portuguese news agency Lusa is also reporting the death of Dhlakama, saying he had been ill. Lusa is citing an unnamed official in Renamo, whose Portuguese acronym means Mozambican National Resistance.