The Mozambican Liberation Front (Frelimo) on Monday accused the main opposition party, the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), of incitement to violence and of wanting to delay the country's development.

Frelimo was reacting to Renamo's accusation that the Mozambican Republic Police (PRM) is preparing to "act violently" against any demonstrations due to the high cost of living.

"Renamo's agenda is to slow down the country's development by encouraging demonstrations that will disrupt the normal functioning of Mozambicans' lives," Frelimo spokesman Caifadine Manasse told the public channel Televisão de Moçambique (TVM).

Manasse said that the President of the Republic and of Frelimo, Filipe Nyusi, as well as his government are sensitive to the difficulties faced by the Mozambican population, and are preparing a package of measures to alleviate the impact of the current situation.

"The cost of living is a general situation in the world, due to the Russia-Ukraine war," the ruling party spokesman emphasized.

He also pointed to the war in Cabo Delgado province, northern Mozambique, and natural disasters as factors that have exacerbated the high cost of living in the country.

Caifadine Manasse appealed to the hard work of all Mozambicans aiming to alleviate the current cost of living.

In a press conference, Renamo on Monday accused the police of being prepared to "act violently" in case of any demonstrations against the cost of living, pointing out that this attitude is a violation of fundamental rights.

"Rumors are circulating that the police are spread throughout the country, especially in the city of Maputo, to act violently at any moment," Renamo spokesman Jose Manteigas said.

The PRM's behavior corresponds to an authentic political intolerance and denial of citizens' fundamental rights, Manteigas advanced.

The Renamo spokesman accused Frelimo of coercively collecting funds from state officials in order to finance the organization's next congress, scheduled for September.

"The ruling party is so unpopular that it coercively charges teachers and other employees," he stressed.

The rising cost of living in the country, due to the impact of the war between Russia and Ukraine, has increased social tensions in Mozambique, with the country living under a permanent spectre of demonstrations, namely in the country's main cities. (Lusa)