VII. The Contemporary Period, 1945–2000 > I. Africa, 1941–2000 > 2. Regions > e. Southern Africa > 1. North of the Limpopo > c. Mozambique
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  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.
 
 
c. Mozambique
1962
 
Frente de Libertação de Mozambique (FRELIMO), led by Eduardo Mondlane, was founded to fight against colonial rule.  1
 
1966
 
FRELIMO captured control of most of the rural north, while the Portuguese continued to hold the urban centers.  2
 
1969
 
FRELIMO leader Eduardo Mondlane was assassinated and was succeeded by Samora Machel, who promoted a more revolutionary Socialist line.  3
 
1970–80
 
Liberated zones, and after 1975 the independence of Mozambique under FRELIMO, provided a base of operations for Rhodesian (Zimbabwean) and South African liberation movements. The liberated zones were also a target for the Rhodesian security forces until Zimbabwean independence in 1980. After independence, the Rhodesian security forces shaped a Mozambiquan rebel army that became known as Movimento Nacional da Resistencia de Mozambique (MNR, or RENAMO).  4
 
1974
 
A military coup in Portugal (See 1974, April 25) forced the end of its colonial wars. Mozambique, Angola, and other Portuguese territories became independent the following year.  5
 
1975, June 25
 
Mozambique attained independence under the ruling party, FRELIMO. Upon independence, skilled Portuguese managers left, leaving much of the economic infrastructure in shambles. Moreover, financial difficulties resulted from the struggle against colonialism in Rhodesia and South Africa.  6
 
1977
 
FRELIMO expressed its revolutionary commitment by declaring itself a Marxist-Leninist party.  7
 
1980
 
Mozambique joined the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC), organized to reduce dependence on South Africa.  8
 
1983
 
By this time RENAMO, which had been taken over by South African agents after Zimbabwean independence, was disrupting life in large areas of the countryside.  9
 
1984
 
South Africa agreed to stop aiding RENAMO, and Mozambique agreed not to aid ANC guerrillas, in the Nkomati Accord. Mozambique did curb ANC activities, but South African assistance continued to come to RENAMO. As a result, Mozambique relied on aid from surrounding countries, including 10,000 troops from Zimbabwe, to guard its vital installations and communications.  10
 
1986, Oct
 
Pres. Samora Machel was killed when his airplane crashed just over the South African border, leading to suspicion of foul play by South Africa. Joaquim Alberto Chissano, the foreign minister, succeeded to the presidency.  11
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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