10/10/2016 (Agence Europe) – On Sunday evening 9 October, the EU condemned the assassination of Jeremias Pondeca, the negotiator for the main opposition party Renamo (the Mozambique National Resistance) in the peace talks, which have been ongoing since the end of May in Mozambique. In a press release, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service stated: "The European Union condems this murder. Violence can never be an alternative to peaceful dialogue when trying to reach a sustainable solution in a political conflict. It is therefore important that the authorities spare no efforts to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice". The EU calls on all parties to "stay committed to the peace negotiations". The EEAS spokesperson expressed the EU's condolences to the family and those close to this former deputy, who was shot by armed men, according to a report by Renamo. (AN)