Causes of Mozambican Civil War (1977-94)
Colonial legacy. The departing colonialists did not prepare Mozambique for self- government.
Economic hardships. The post independent government met a number of
economic problems. The deporting Portuguese had destroyed vehicles,
infrastructure etc.
The ban on political activities.
The ban on political activities.
The cold war influence. FRELIMO declared itself as a Marxist government
at independence and after. It got support from the eastern block but
this alarmed the capitalist block, which sponsored rebel activities in
Mozambique so as to weaken socialism.
The nationalisation of settlers' property and that of multi-national
corporations brewed trouble for the Mozambique government. These
decided to sponsor the anti- FRELIMO rebels.
South Africa's policy in the region also led to the civil war in
Mozambique. She supported RENAMO rebels so as to keep the FRELIMO
government busy and away from supporting the ANC and SWAPO rebels in
South Africa and Namibia respectively.
The problem of famine which led to starvation also led to the civil
war. Even the food relief given by the international bodies was
sabotaged by the rebels.
There was a power vacuum after the death of Samora Machel in a planned
plane crash in 1986. RENAMO wanted to seize power but FRELIMO's Joachim
Chissano carried on. War continued.
The Angolan civil war influenced the Mozambican civil war. UNITA
advised the RENAMO rebels to carry on for fear that a stable Mozambique
could give military Aid to Angola against UNITA.
The presence of foreign troops and advisers in Mozambique led to the
civil war. They had come in to assist the Mozambicans fight against the
Portuguese colonialism. RENAMO rebels claimed that Mozambique wasn't
yet truly independent when it still had Marxist advisers and troops.
National Movements and New States in Africa