Able leadership was the key factor leading to the successful Mozambican war of independence. Edwardo Mondlane was dynamic and charismatic. Even his successor Samora Machel was dynamic and forward looking.

Nationalists had a unity of purpose.

Appropriate military strategy.

The -simultaneous attacks on Portuguese posts also led to success.

The thick forests in Tete, Niassa and Cabo Delgado, were very ideal for guerrilla activities.

FRELIMO was fighting on home ground. The newly recruited soldiers in Tete, Niassa etc.

Support from local people also led to success.

Support from the socialist block also led to success.

The reforms of FRELIMO in liberated zones attracted massive support from the local people.

The role played by women also led FRELIMO to success.

FRELIMO diffused ethnicism in Mozambique. People of different tribes were mixed within the same fighting units.

The role of the world council of Churches cannot be forgotten. It is true that at first the Catholic Church in Mozambique supported Portuguese oppression but later, the Church joined the voices of OAU and UNO in condemning Portuguese brutal rule.

The February 1974 coup in Lisbon opened the gates for Mozambique's independence.

Portugal was fighting several wars at the same time. It not only had the rebels in Mozambique but also had similar situations in Angola and Guinea Bissau.

Political discussions and consensus. Right from the time Mondlane died, FRELIMO started the politics of discussions.