The first to arrive was a contingent of high ranking South African soldiers amid a strong presence of Mozambican soldiers at the Maputo International Airport.

The government and Renamo agreed to invite Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Cape Verde, Italy, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States of America to send forces to the observer mission, who will supervise the cease fire, disarmament and reintegration of the Renamo forces into the Mozambican society.

The team will consist of 30 international and 70 national observers, among whom 35 from the ruling party Frelimo and the other half from Renamo.

It was agreed that they will be in Mozambique for 135 renewable days.

The arrival of the military international observers came one day after the Mozambican Parliament had ratified the agreement on the cessation of hostilities.

It was signed by the heads of the delegations to the dialogue between the government and Renamo on August 24, and was confirmed by President Armando Guebuza and Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama at a ceremony in Maputo last Friday.

Available: http://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/international-observers-arrive-mozambique