A group of demobilized members of the Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO) denounced this afternoon the lack of a call for their participation in the party's National Council.

"We are prepared. That's why we're here to urge our other colleagues to be there en masse, because it's the only place where anything can happen," said João Machava, the group's spokesman.

RENAMO's Political Commission has scheduled the National Council for the 16th of this month, in Nampula province.

In September, RENAMO expelled Machava, who is the face of Ossufo Momade's leadership - "for disobedience".

Machava, who was speaking to the press near the old Machava Stadium - now the Independence Stadium - said that the late convening of the National Council was a maneuver to keep Momade as party president.

"Last year, we sent a letter to the party and demanded that the National Council be extended to demobilized members and other cadres. So, since we weren't invited, we'll have to go to Nampula in our own way, to solve the problem once and for all," he warned, adding that people were being 'bought' to ensure that Ossufo remained in power in the party.

 The demobilized promise to keep up the pressure to force out Ossufo Momade, who they say is leading the party to extinction.

"We don't want to see RENAMO down. We will do everything for RENAMO to be on top," he said.