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76-517: The Maputo Accord commits both parties to put an end to all political and military hostilities and to implement, in full, the legislative package on decentralisation. It further commits to the complete disarmament, demobilisation, and subsequent socio-economic reintegration of Renamo’s former combatants and includes provisions for the placement of former combatants in the Mozambique Armed Defence Forces (FADM) structure and in

152-656: A Portuguese-language radio broadcasting station, known as Voz da Africa Livre , which broadcast anti-communist and anti-FRELIMO messages into Mozambique. Cristina's broadcasts called attention to human rights violations committed by FRELIMO, including the detention of party dissidents, and accused FRELIMO of betraying Mozambican nationalism by pandering to the Marxist ideology of the Soviet Union. The CIO hoped to use Voz da Africa Livre to recruit disaffected Mozambicans for an anti-FRELIMO paramilitary force. One such recruit

228-645: A Rhodesian insurgent movement, the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA). ZANLA insurgents were permitted to infiltrate Rhodesian territory from FRELIMO-held areas of Mozambique, inexorably linking the Mozambican conflict to the Rhodesian Bush War . The 1974 Carnation Revolution and the collapse of Portugal's right-wing Estado Novo government plunged Lisbon into turmoil and brought to power

304-541: A confidante and an advisor to the RENAMO leadership. A related network of West German RENAMO lobbyists evolved around Bavarian Prime Minister and leader of the conservative CSU party Franz Josef Strauss . The provincial leader engaged in his own far right foreign policy in support of apartheid and anti-socialist paramilitary forces in Southern Africa, thereby undermining the official Détente foreign policy of

380-753: A military junta known as the Armed Forces Movement . The Portuguese junta was committed to divesting itself of the colonies and ending the increasingly costly African wars. The resulting confusion among the metropole's military forces in Mozambique allowed FRELIMO to wrest control of large sections of the territory from the Portuguese. In the absence of Portuguese repression, a number of new Mozambican political parties, including some formed by FRELIMO splinter factions, appeared and began campaigning for support. Portugal announced it would initiate

456-567: A number of Mozambican political exiles who genuinely opposed FRELIMO on principle, including FRELIMO defectors disillusioned with its Marxist–Leninist ideology, but also large numbers of recruits conscripted by force. With Rhodesian support, RENAMO commenced an insurgency against the FRELIMO government in 1977, sparking the Mozambican Civil War . The war was characterised by severe human rights violations on both sides and crippled

532-407: A peace deal in an effort to end the two-year period of instability. The deal included integration of RENAMO forces into the army and a reform of the election oversight commission. However, after RENAMO's refusal to accept the 2014 presidential elections, problems in the implementation of the peace deal and after continued efforts by government forces to disarm RENAMO met resistance, Dhlakama broke off

608-466: A permanent foothold in underdeveloped northern Mozambique and began expanding its operations southwards, reaching the central provinces by 1973. Portugal responded with increasingly large scale search and destroy operations and strengthening military and intelligence ties to the neighbouring states of Rhodesia and South Africa , then ruled by white minority governments sympathetic to the colonial regime. FRELIMO, in turn, forged an informal alliance with

684-496: A political transition in Mozambique simultaneously with multi-party elections prior to independence, but FRELIMO condemned the proposal. The party's leadership, headed by Samora Machel , countered that it was the sole legitimate representative of the Mozambican people, and demanded it be permitted to take power directly, without multi-party elections. In early September 1974, Portugal announced it would comply with FRELIMO's request. Portuguese officials promised that after nine months,

760-460: A revision of the constitution to deepen decentralisation as part of the peace negotiations between the Government and Renamo. The bill provides administrative and financial autonomy for municipal, provincial and district bodies, while issues of national interest such as defence, security and natural resources will continue to be managed at the central level. On 6 August 2018, President Nyusi and

836-524: A similar structure to support implementation of the agreement. It had the following key components: Phase 3 (Post-conflict): Following the signing of the Maputo Accord for Peace and National Reconciliation on 6 August 2019, thee Principals agreed to put in place additional structures to support the ongoing work of the DDR structures put in place during phase 2: The implementation of the Maputo Accord

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912-690: Is a Mozambican political party and militant group. The party was founded with the active sponsorship of the Rhodesian Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) in May 1977 from anti-communist dissidents opposed to Mozambique's ruling FRELIMO party. RENAMO was initially led by André Matsangaissa , a former senior official in FRELIMO's armed wing, and was composed of several anti-communist dissident groups which appeared immediately prior to, and shortly following, Mozambican independence. Matsangaissa, who died in 1979,

988-721: Is guided by relevant national and international frameworks that cover women, peace and security interventions, such as the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, adopted unanimously in 2000, and the National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security (2018-2022) which is aligned with the objectives of the Southern African Development Community Regional Strategy on Women, Peace and Security (2018-2022). Out of

1064-521: The Afrikaner nationalists hegemonial ambitions in the region. In 1988, RENAMO experienced its only major split during the civil war, when former PRM commander Gimo Phiri broke off and founded an independent insurgent group known as Mozambican National Union (UNAMO). While the Mozambican government did shut down the local ANC offices and its operations in accordance with the Nkomati Accord,

1140-596: The October 2009 presidential election . Dhlakama repeatedly threatened to reestablish RENAMO's armed forces and to let the country "burn". In 2011 he stated that RENAMO was preparing a "revolution" to rid the government from power and establishing new barracks for this purpose. In October 2012 Dhlakama relocated to RENAMO's former headquarters near Casa Banana in Gorongosa and set up a training camp for several hundred partially armed followers. He threatened to destroy

1216-988: The Rome General Peace Accords and RENAMO's leader in parliament from 1994 to 1999, was expelled from the party in 2000, and in 2003, founded the Party for Peace, Democracy, and Development . RENAMO forces attacked an army base in Zimbabwe near Mukosa on 17 June 1987, killing seven soldiers and wounding 19. RENAMO attacked the Katiyo Tea Estate, destroying valuable property, in July and killed three men in Rushinga in August. On 30 November, RENAMO militants burned down 13 houses. Between December 1987 and 21 January 1988, RENAMO performed 101 attacks near

1292-471: The Western Bloc's influence on the region. Contrary to that stance stood the active engagement of the far-right Heritage Foundation for the cause of RENAMO. West German academic Andre Thomashausen and his mentor Werner Kaltefleiter served as vital links between West German right-wing conservative, anti-socialist political circles and RENAMO. Thomashausen is alleged to have had close links to both

1368-565: The 1999 presidential election with Chissano capturing 52.3%. In the December 2004 presidential election , he was defeated by FRELIMO candidate Armando Guebuza , who received 63.7% of the vote to his 31.7%. International observers to the elections criticised the fact that the National Electoral Commission (CNE) did not conduct entirely fair and transparent elections. They listed a whole range of serious shortcomings by

1444-601: The 5,221 ex-combatants that will go through the DDR process, 257 are women. In line with the UN Secretary General’s commitment and strategy to achieving gender parity across the UN system, 48% of the staff at the Peace Process Secretariat are women, with 71% female representation on the senior management team. Afonso Dhlakama Afonso Marceta Macacho Dhlakama (1 January 1953 – 3 May 2018)

1520-681: The Agreement on the Definitive Cessation of Military Hostilities in Gorongosa National Park . The agreement builds on the MoU on Military Affairs signed in August 2018, with both parties reaffirming their desire to see a future of peace and reconciliation in Mozambique and prioritization of dialogue as a means for settling grievances. On 6 August 2019, President Filipe Nyusi and the leader of Renamo Ossufo Momade, signed

1596-540: The Agreement on the Definitive Cessation of Military Hostilities signed on 1 August 2019 and outlines the structures for the implementation of the Accord. The Accord commits both parties to put an end to all political and military hostilities and to implement, in full, the legislative package on decentralisation. It further commits to the complete disarmament, demobilisation and subsequent socio-economic reintegration of 5,221 former combatants of Renamo and includes provisions for

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1672-623: The Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs in the US State Department, viewed RENAMO as "African Khmer Rouge". While RENAMO styled itself as "anti-communist", its brutal conduct and lack of political legitimacy made the organisation unsuitable as a partner, since it jeopardised the State Department attempts to gain rapport with the FRELIMO government and the Mozambican population, in order to increase

1748-589: The CIO recruited Matsangaissa as the leader for its new anti-FRELIMO force. The militants received guerrilla training from the CIO and were infiltrated back into Mozambique, where they conducted surveillance of ZANLA movements at the Rhodesians' behest. In February 1977, the unit demonstrated its ability to carry out autonomous operations when it stormed a FRELIMO re-education camp in Sofala Province , freeing

1824-597: The Gorongosa mountains. After the agreement was signed, the last remaining RENAMO fighters surrendered their weapons. Momade told the Associated Press "We will no longer commit the mistakes of the past." He also stated "We are for a humanized and dignified reintegration and we want the international community to help make that a reality." During another signing which took in Maputo's peace square, Momade declared

1900-736: The Maputo Accord for Peace and National Reconciliation in Maputo. The occasion was witnessed by Namibia's President-in-Office of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Hage Geingob , the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, Former Presidents of Mozambique (Joaquim Chissano) and Tanzania (Jakaya Kikwete), the President of the Contact Group (Mirko Manzoni) and the Representative of Sant’Egidio Community (Matteo Zuppi). The Accord consists of

1976-585: The Ministry of Defence, Colonel Cristovao Chume, claimed that the soldiers suffered no losses and that a RENAMO fighter was injured and captured by their forces. RENAMO leader Dhlakama claimed that no RENAMO fighters were killed on the attack, which, according to him, was started by the Army, and that the casualties had been suffered by the FADM. However, reporters confirmed that the bodies of two RENAMO fighters were in

2052-498: The Mozambican army, and its transformation into a regular political party. It is now the main opposition party in Mozambique. At the legislative elections on 1 and 2 December 2004, the party was the main part of the Renamo-UE electoral alliance, which won 29.7% of the popular vote and 90 out of 250 seats. The presidential candidate of this alliance, Afonso Dhlakama , won 31.7% of the popular vote. Raul Domingos , negotiator at

2128-759: The Mozambique-Zimbabwe border. Following the end of the Mozambican Civil War, RENAMO remained linked to a Zimbabwean militant group, Chimwenje . Apart from their primary supporters, initially the Rhodesian Central Intelligence Organisation until 1979 and afterwards, the South African Directorate of Special Tasks (DST), RENAMO also enjoyed some level of international recognition, support and funding. Chester Crocker , then

2204-683: The National Party government of South Africa continued funnelling financial and military resources to RENAMO. A permanent peace accord was reached only in 1992, monitored by the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (UNOMOZ) until its finalisation in 1994. This process went on simultaneously to the negotiations between the National Party minority government and the ANC about the termination of Apartheid policies and

2280-401: The Portuguese administration, as well as on the grassroots level from local tribal authorities. The party also envisioned a radical restructuring of post-colonial Mozambican society in accordance with the principles of scientific socialism . In September 1964, FRELIMO initiated an armed insurgency. Its decision to take up arms was influenced by a number of internal and external factors, namely

2356-401: The Portuguese. What differed was the abduction of children to use them as child soldiers . It is estimated that one third of RENAMO forces were under 18. Abducted people also had to serve RENAMO in administrative or public service functions in the areas it controlled. Refusing to work for RENAMO would be punished by heavy beating or even on-the-spot execution as were flight attempts, though this

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2432-549: The Principals – President Nyusi, and the leaders of Renamo, the late Afonso Dhlakama and his successor Ossufo Momade, have jointly agreed the implementation structures to support the different phases of the process. Phase I: With a national structure in place, the process made significant advances including an indefinite truce which was announced in May 2017. This was a significant confidence building measure which built trust between both Parties. Within one year, an agreement

2508-828: The South African and Mozambican governments signed the Nkomati Accord , in which the South African National Party minority regime promised to stop sponsoring RENAMO operations if the Mozambican government expelled exiled members of the African National Congress (ANC) residing there. This was consistent with the Total National Strategy pursued by the National Party regime, utilizing threats of military reprisals to force Mozambique into subjugation under

2584-611: The United Nations Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Mozambique), was formed to coordinate the international community’s support. A Secretariat was also established in early 2017 to support the process. Over the course of the peace negotiations, President Nyusi met with Afonso Dhlakama, and his successor Ossufo Momade, on several occasions, reaching consensus on several key issues: On 23 May 2018, Mozambique’s parliament unanimously approved

2660-527: The West German and apartheid South African intelligence services, while being officially employed as a professor at the University of South Africa and in various managerial positions (in particular for West German corporations engaged in the apartheid economy) since 1982, when he moved to South Africa and immediately was granted citizenship by the National Party minority government. Thomashausen acted as

2736-404: The West German federal government. RENAMO conduct has frequently been described by western authors as amounting to terrorism , especially since it usually involved attacks against defenseless civilians. The forcible recruitment of kidnapped villagers, including underage children, formed RENAMO's main modus operandi to increase its membership. This often included the murder of close relatives of

2812-471: The action was a response to previous police raids on RENAMO gatherings. Around 300 RENAMO members had remained armed since the 1992 peace deal, despite efforts to integrate them into the army or police. On 6 April 2013, two or three civilians were killed and two women were injured when alleged RENAMO militiamen attacked a truck and a bus in Chibabava District . RENAMO denied being involved in

2888-464: The already debilitated Mozambican economy. RENAMO and FRELIMO acceded to the Rome General Peace Accords in October 1992, which ended FRELIMO's one-party state and introduced multi-party democratic elections. In return, RENAMO pledged to abandon its armed struggle and conduct its future activities by political means within the framework of the new electoral system. Following the end of the war, RENAMO

2964-618: The armed struggle against colonial rule was spearheaded by the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO), which was initially formed in exile in neighbouring Tanzania . FRELIMO recruited from Mozambican migrant workers and intellectuals living abroad, where they had been exposed to the emerging popularity of anti-colonial and nationalist causes overseas. Its political programme was anti-colonial, but also anti-traditionalist; FRELIMO leaders planned to wrest social and political power from

3040-765: The attack. On 21 June, suspected RENAMO guerrillas attacked a bus in Machanga , Sofala Province , injuring an elderly woman. The incident happened two days after RENAMO threatened to paralyse key roads and the only coal export train to force the FRELIMO government to renegotiate peace terms. On 17 October, suspected RENAMO guerrillas ambushed a military patrol near Gorongosa , RENAMO's stronghold, killing seven soldiers, according to local media. On 18 October, another clash between Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM) and RENAMO militiamen took place in Mucodza, seven kilometres away from Gorongosa. National director of defence policy in

3116-415: The country if his political demands were not met. However, the local press considered this threat to be another bluff, doubting that Dhlakama had the means to start any serious insurrection. In April 2013, Renamo militants attacked the riot police's headquarters in the central Mozambican town of Muxungue. Four policemen and a civilian were confirmed dead, while ten servicemen were hospitalised. According to

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3192-549: The detainees there. During a meeting at Cristina's home in May 1977, the unit's leadership formally adopted the title Resistência Nacional Moçambicana (RENAMO). RENAMO unified with another rebel group, the Revolutionary Party of Mozambique (PRM) in 1982. As a result of this merger, the rebel group was able to expand its operations in northern Mozambique, particularly in Zambezia Province . In 1984

3268-420: The election oversight commission. However, after RENAMO's refusal to accept the 2014 presidential elections, problems in the implementation of the peace deal and after continued efforts by government forces to disarm RENAMO met resistance, Dhlakama broke off the peace process in August 2015. Since then there have been renewed clashes between government and RENAMO forces. Dhlakama claimed there were two attempts by

3344-521: The electoral authorities that benefited the ruling party FRELIMO. Upon the creation of the Council of State , a body tasked with advising the President, Dklahama was included on the Council due to his role as leader of the opposition; he and the other members of the council were sworn in on 23 December 2005. He said that he accepted his seat on the council for the sake of national stability. Dhlakama

3420-638: The elite Flechas , fearing retribution under the new regime. Many of the new exiles fled to Rhodesia, where they were recruited as assets by the Rhodesian Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO). The most prominent anti-FRELIMO exile in Rhodesia was Orlando Cristina, a former member of the colonial security services in Mozambique who had served as a regional liaison with the Rhodesian government. Cristina set up

3496-467: The entire country, including [...] Maputo." Dhlakama later confirmed that he had personally ordered the attack on the police post. On 17 October 2013, suspected RENAMO guerrillas ambushed a military patrol near Gorongosa , RENAMO's stronghold, killing seven soldiers, according to local media. Further clashes followed and, in response, on 21 October, FADM forces captured Sathunjira base after days of combat. RENAMO spokesman Fernando Mazanga claimed that

3572-473: The future of RENAMO following Dhlakma's death, Ed Hobey Hamsher, an analyst with Maplecroft, stated that "no potential successor has Dhlakama's stature" and that anybody who succeeds him "will struggle to unify Renamo's factions." At the time of Dhlakma's death, the RENAMO Congress was unable to fix a date to vote on a successor. The next month on 14 June 2018, Ossufo Momade, who was picked to serve as

3648-406: The government forces had shelled the base with heavy weapons (artillery), and that Dhlakama had fled the base. A RENAMO statement said that the capture of the base put an end to the 1992 peace deal. On 5 September 2014 Dhlakama and president Guebuza signed a peace deal in an effort to end the two-year period of instability. The deal included integration of RENAMO forces into the army and a reform of

3724-471: The government to assassinate him. On 3 May 2018, Dhlakma died in Gorongosa after suffering a heart attack. An unnamed official in RENAMO acknowledged this and also stated that Dhlakma had been ill prior to his death. Regarding the future of RENAMO following Dhlakma's death, Ed Hobey Hamsher, an analyst with Maplecroft, stated that "no potential successor has Dhlakama's stature" and that anybody who succeeds him "will struggle to unify Renamo's factions." At

3800-421: The headquarters had been moved from Maputo to Nampula in 2009. RENAMO leader Afonso Dhlakama threatened to "destroy the country" if his political demands were not met. On 4 April 2013, one woman and four police officers were killed, with ten policemen more injured in a RENAMO attack on a police station in the town of Muxengue . The leader of the attackers was also killed. RENAMO's security chief stated that

3876-432: The interim leader of RENAMO until the organization's Congress could vote on a permanent successor to Dhlakma, went into hiding. On 1 August 2019, Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi and RENAMO leader Ossufo Momade signed a peace agreement bringing an end to the six-year period of armed clashes. They also shook hands and embraced each other as well. The signing of the peace took place at RENAMO's remote military base in

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3952-438: The kidnapped persons, so that they had no way of returning to their communities.The organisation also engaged in brutal publicly staged ritual killings of perceived traitors and dissidents. In October 2012, RENAMO's headquarters were relocated near Casa Banana (also named Sathunjira, RENAMO's former guerrilla base in the 1980s) in Gorongosa , where a training camp was set up for around 800 partially armed followers. Previously,

4028-425: The leader of Renamo, Ossufo Momade, signed a MoU on Military Affairs. The MoU, the first nationally and jointly agreed DDR agreement since the signing of the peace accord in 1992, outlined the road map on military affairs and the subsequent steps crucial to achieving an effective and lasting peace in Mozambique. Following the signing, President Nyusi said “the memorandum clearly outlines the roadmap for military affairs,

4104-412: The local morgue of Gorongosa. On 21 October, FADM forces captured Sathunjira base after several days of combat. RENAMO spokesman Fernando Mazanga claimed that the government forces had shelled the base with heavy weapons (artillery), and that Afonso Dhlakama had fled the base. A RENAMO statement said that the capture of the base puts an end to the 1992 peace deal. RENAMO announced that MP Armindo Milaco

4180-407: The other hand, RENAMO was also reflective of FRELIMO's own splintering support base and dwindling popularity in the immediate post-independence era. Its political programme centered around the abandonment of FRELIMO's socialist policies, the adoption of a free market economy, and more traditionalist concerns such as the reinstatement of tribal leaders to positions of authority. RENAMO's ranks included

4256-500: The peace process in August 2015. Since then there have been renewed clashes between government and RENAMO forces. Dhlakama claims there have been two attempts by the government to assassinate him. In May 2017, RENAMO agreed to extend their truce indefinitely. On 3 May 2018, Afonso Dhlakama , who led RENAMO since 1979, died in Gorongosa after suffering a heart attack. An unnamed official in RENAMO acknowledged this and also stated that Dhlakma had been ill prior to his death. Regarding

4332-571: The placement of former combatants in the Mozambique Armed Defence Forces (FADM) structure and in the units of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM). DDR activities resumed in central Mozambique in June 2020 and several Renamo bases have now been closed. As of December 2021, 63% of the 5,221 former combatants have been disarmed and demobilised. Since the start of the peace negotiations in 2016,

4408-421: The police, the leader of the attackers was also killed. The attackers were trying to free fifteen of their comrades who had been arrested in a police raid on a Renamo camp the day before. Police claimed that Renamo was conducting illegal military training at the camp. A Renamo spokesman pronounced that "Our demobilised soldiers will retaliate against any attack and not only in the location where it occurs, but across

4484-424: The positions of local government would be handed to FRELIMO appointees, and no elections would be held. The decision to effect a direct transfer of power to FRELIMO, without a local referendum or elections, was greeted with trepidation by South Africa and Rhodesia. It also resulted in an exodus of Portuguese settlers, FRELIMO dissidents, and indigenous troops who had served with Portuguese auxiliary units, including

4560-725: The recent successes of indigenous anti-colonial guerrilla movements in French Indochina and French Algeria , as well as encouragement from contemporary African statesmen such as Ahmed Ben Bella , Gamal Abdel Nasser , and Julius Nyerere . FRELIMO insurgents initially received training primarily in North Africa and the Middle East in countries such as Algeria , with the Soviet Union and People's Republic of China providing military equipment. FRELIMO established

4636-491: The subsequent and decisive steps towards achieving an effective and lasting peace with regard to the disarmament, demobilisation and integration of Renamo’s armed wing”. Chief Mediator, Mirko Manzoni, who was a witness for the occasion, said that “there has been remarkable progress in the peace process and the Mozambicans should be proud”. On 1 August 2019, President Filipe Nyusi and the leader of Renamo Ossufo Momade signed

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4712-454: The time of Dhlakma's death, the RENAMO Congress was unable to fix a date to vote on a successor. The next month on 14 June 2018, Ossufo Momade, who was picked to serve as the interim leader of RENAMO until the organization's Congress could vote on a permanent successor to Dhlakma, went into hiding. RENAMO RENAMO (from the Portuguese Resistência Nacional Moçambicana , lit.   ' Mozambican National Resistance ' )

4788-412: The transformation to a democratic dispensation in South Africa. The South African National Intelligence Service initiated the Operation Bush Talk , which was designed to phase out the National Party's longstanding substantial support to RENAMO and allow their proxy to accommodate to the new regional realities. The peace accord led to the disarmament of RENAMO, the integration of some of its fighters into

4864-785: The transition taking place in South Africa eventually deprived RENAMO of its financial supporters and arms suppliers. Thus, RENAMO and FRELIMO, which had also lost its supporters from the eastern power block, finally signed a peace treaty in October 1992. RENAMO subsequently transformed itself into a legal political party under the continued leadership of Afonso Dhlakama. According to the US State Department and some other sources, under Dhlakama's leadership RENAMO systematically committed crimes against humanity as part of its war effort. These include mass killing and mutilation of non-combatants during raids on villages and towns as well as systematically forcing civilians into RENAMO's employment, though FRELIMO had used similar methods during its fight against

4940-653: The units of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM). Peace negotiations began in December 2016 when President Filipe Nyusi indicated his willingness to engage in direct dialogue with the then leader of Renamo, the late Afonso Dhlakama , in order to resolve tensions that resulted in armed violent conflict restarting in 2013. The Principals launched the National Peace Process in March 2017 and established two commissions to support in resolving key issues related to decentralisation and military affairs (see Implementation Structures below) A Contact Group, chaired by then Swiss Ambassador to Mozambique, Mirko Manzoni (later appointed

5016-560: The virtual end of the insurgency. A RENAMO splinter group known as the RENAMO Military Junta (RMJ) was quickly formed from party dissidents opposed to the peace process; the RMJ continued to carry out minor guerrilla operations until December 2021, when the last of its members surrendered to Mozambican security forces. From the early 1960s to the mid-1970s, Portugal fought a series of bitter counter-insurgency conflicts against independence movements in its three primary African colonies— Angola , Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau . In Mozambique,

5092-423: Was André Matsangaissa , a former FRELIMO official who had been imprisoned by the party in a re-education camp following the transfer of power; Matsangaissa had subsequently escaped to Rhodesia and was familiar with Cristina's broadcasts. Matsangaissa met with Cristina and argued that hostile radio messages alone could not change the political situation in Mozambique; armed struggle was necessary. Shortly thereafter,

5168-460: Was a Mozambican politician and the leader of RENAMO , an anti-communist guerrilla movement that fought the FRELIMO government in the Mozambican Civil War before signing a peace agreement and becoming an opposition political party in the early 1990s. Dhlakama was born in Mangunde , Sofala Province . After RENAMO's first leader, André Matsangaissa , was killed by Mozambican government forces in 1979, Dhlakama became leader. By 1984, Dhalakama

5244-407: Was also used by FRELIMO. One particularly gruesome practice was the mutilation and killing of children left behind by escaped parents. Dhlakama has competed as the RENAMO candidate in all three multiparty presidential elections held in Mozambique. In 1994, he was defeated by incumbent president and FRELIMO candidate Joaquim Chissano by a margin of 53.3% to 33.7%. He received 47.7% of the vote in

5320-434: Was both commander in chief of RENAMO's forces and head of the governing body, the 12-member executive council. As leader of RENAMO Dhlakama sought to destabilise the FRELIMO government through guerilla strategies. Under his command RENAMO reached the peak of its power, controlling large parts of the country, especially in the north and being able to carry out raids virtually anywhere outside the major cities. In its fight RENAMO

5396-422: Was injured in a car crash in Maputo on 10 June 2007. A RENAMO spokesman described the injuries as minor. Although RENAMO was apparently weakened by the defection of Daviz Simango , who formed a new party, Dhlakama was re-elected for another five-year term as RENAMO leader on 22 July 2009 at a party congress in Nampula Province , defeating another candidate, Rogerio Francisco Joao . He was RENAMO's candidate in

5472-483: Was killed in the government raid. On 22 October, gunmen attacked a police station in Maringué District in apparent retaliation, with no casualties reported. On 26 October, alleged RENAMO fighters attacked civilian vehicles in the main north–south highway near Beira , killing one and injuring 10 people. RENAMO denied its implication in the attack. On 5 September 2014 Dhlakama and president Guebuza signed

5548-544: Was reached on one of the key issues of decentralisation, which led to a revision of the constitution in May 2018. Phase 2: With progress made on decentralisation, the peace process moved to its next phase, with the focus on military affairs. On 6 August 2018, the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Military Affairs, committed both Government and Renamo to advance on the central issue of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR). The Principals agreed to

5624-417: Was responsible for promoting constitutional reforms as well as the promotion of a strong domestic private sector. Renewed clashes broke out between RENAMO's militant forces and the FRELIMO government in 2013. RENAMO resumed its insurgency, citing state corruption and electoral fraud perpetuated by FRELIMO officials. A second peace agreement was reached between RENAMO and FRELIMO in August 2019, resulting in

5700-405: Was succeeded by Afonso Dhlakama , who led the organization until he died in 2018. He was succeeded by Ossufo Momade . Critics of RENAMO frequently described the movement as a proxy of Rhodesia and South Africa's apartheid government . It has been theorised that RENAMO was formed for the sole purpose of countering FRELIMO support for the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA). On

5776-560: Was supported by conservative circles in some western countries, including the United States, Portugal , the Brazilian right-wing military regime, and most importantly by the white led governments of Rhodesia and South Africa to whom FRELIMO-ruled Mozambique was a target due to its support of rebel movements within their countries. However, the end of the cold war, the collapse of Rhodesia's Smith government and, most importantly,

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