Doing Things Differently: Mediating in Mozambique
Turner, C. & J. Palmiano-Federer (2024)
Turner, C. & J. Palmiano-Federer examines Mozambique's path towards achieving lasting peace,
focusing on the period from 1992 to 2024. It analyses the challenges and successes of the peace
processes, culminating in the signing of the Maputo Accord for Peace and National Reconciliation
in 2019.
1.1 Key Actors & Historical Context
Background of Mozambique Civil War:
The conflict erupted in 1964 as a result of unrest and frustration amongst many indigenous
Mozambican populations, who perceived foreign rule as exploitation and mistreatment, which
served only to further Portuguese economic interests in the region.
RENAMO opposed FRELIMO's attempts to establish a socialist one-party state, and was heavily
backed by the anti-communist governments of Rhodesia and South Africa who supported them in
order to undermine FRELIMO's support for militant nationalist organisations in their own
countries.
Parties to the Conflict:
● Government of Mozambique: led by President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi (from 2015)
● Resistência Nacional Moçambicana (Renamo): initially led by Afonso Dhlakama, succeeded
by Ossufo Momade upon Dhlakama’s death in 2018
Key Mediators in the Maputo Accord Process:
● Mirko Manzoni: Swiss Ambassador to Mozambique (at the time), later appointed UN
Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Mozambique
● Neha Sanghrajka: from the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD)
● Jonathan Powell: from InterMediate
● Eduardo Namburete: a Renamo member of Parliament
Historical Background:
● 1975: Mozambique gained independence
● 1992: the General Peace Agreement (GPA) ends a protracted civil war between the
government and Renamo
● 2012: low-level armed conflict re-emerges due to Renamo's dissatisfaction with the political
situation and the GPA’s implementation
○ Distribution of political power, allocation of state resources, disarmament,
demobilisation and reintegration programme that left many ex-combatants ineligible
for pensions
1.2 Phases of Mediation Efforts (2012-2019)
1. National Mediation (2013-2015): involved faith leaders and a university rector; resulted in a
ceasefire declaration and a peace agreement in 2014 (short lived)
Turner, C. & J. Palmiano-Federer (2024)
Turner, C. & J. Palmiano-Federer examines Mozambique's path towards achieving lasting peace,
focusing on the period from 1992 to 2024. It analyses the challenges and successes of the peace
processes, culminating in the signing of the Maputo Accord for Peace and National Reconciliation
in 2019.
1.1 Key Actors & Historical Context
Background of Mozambique Civil War:
The conflict erupted in 1964 as a result of unrest and frustration amongst many indigenous
Mozambican populations, who perceived foreign rule as exploitation and mistreatment, which
served only to further Portuguese economic interests in the region.
RENAMO opposed FRELIMO's attempts to establish a socialist one-party state, and was heavily
backed by the anti-communist governments of Rhodesia and South Africa who supported them in
order to undermine FRELIMO's support for militant nationalist organisations in their own
countries.
Parties to the Conflict:
● Government of Mozambique: led by President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi (from 2015)
● Resistência Nacional Moçambicana (Renamo): initially led by Afonso Dhlakama, succeeded
by Ossufo Momade upon Dhlakama’s death in 2018
Key Mediators in the Maputo Accord Process:
● Mirko Manzoni: Swiss Ambassador to Mozambique (at the time), later appointed UN
Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Mozambique
● Neha Sanghrajka: from the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD)
● Jonathan Powell: from InterMediate
● Eduardo Namburete: a Renamo member of Parliament
Historical Background:
● 1975: Mozambique gained independence
● 1992: the General Peace Agreement (GPA) ends a protracted civil war between the
government and Renamo
● 2012: low-level armed conflict re-emerges due to Renamo's dissatisfaction with the political
situation and the GPA’s implementation
○ Distribution of political power, allocation of state resources, disarmament,
demobilisation and reintegration programme that left many ex-combatants ineligible
for pensions
1.2 Phases of Mediation Efforts (2012-2019)
1. National Mediation (2013-2015): involved faith leaders and a university rector; resulted in a
ceasefire declaration and a peace agreement in 2014 (short lived)
