Mozambique's president, rebel leader sign new peace accord

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - Mozambique's president and the leader of country's main opposition group have signed a new peace accord that they have pledged will end years of violence and facilitate elections in October.

In signing the Peace and National Reconciliation Agreement in Maputo Tuesday afternoon, President Filipe Nyusi and Renamo leader Ossufo Momade said they will peacefully participate in Mozambique's elections on Oct. 15.

Portuguese news agency Lusa reports that the signing ceremony in Mozambique's capital of Maputo was witnessed by five African heads of state, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the EU's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and Portugal's foreign secretary Teresa Rebeiro.

The peace accord follows last week's signing of a similar agreement to cease military hostilities, which took place in Gorongosa National Park in central Mozambique.