Mozambique: A Delicate Peace

Despite the signing of a peace accord between the Frelimo government and the Renamo rebels in October 1992, and an undertaking by the UN to supervise the cease-fire as well as the multiparty elections to be held in October 1993, the situation in Mozambique remains finely balanced. The tortuous nature of the negotiations process itself points to the existence of a great deal of mistrust between the protagonists which will not disappear overnight, and which will always threaten to resurface during the transition. This article reviews the process of conflict resolution in Mozambique from the first round of negotiations in Rome in July 1990 until the signing of the peace accord, and analyses the obstacles to a settlement. One of the problems facing the government throughout the negotiations was that the context in which the talks had been taking place had altered in Renamo’s favour since the latter half of 1991. Against the background of the shallow performance of the aid-dependent economy and the continuing chaos in the rural areas, the government was forced to make a number of concessions in talks held in August and September 1992 which were to lead to the signing of the peace treaty. Notes, ref.