Mozambique History: Independence & War

In April 1974 the Portuguese government, its resources drained by civil wars in Mozambique, Angola and Guinnea Bissau, was overthrown by a military coup - the Carnation Revolution.

Frelimo convinced the new Portuguese government that it was ready to take control of Mozambique, and the country was officially granted independence on June 25th 1975. Left with minimal resources, Frelimo aligned with the Soviet Union and established a one-party Socialist state in order to receive international aid from Soviet bloc countries.

Civil war returned to Mozambique in 1982 when Renamo, an anti-communist movement sponsored by apartheid South Africa and the United States of America, began a series of attacks on Mozambican infrastructure. In 1990, after eight years of war, the first talks were held between Renamo and the Frelimo government.

In November 1990 a democratic constitution was adopted. In 1994 peaceful democratic elections established Frelimo as Mozambique's official government, with Renamo in opposition. Frelimo won again in 1999 and 2004.

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