Mozambique

Background
 
Mozambique has been battered by colonial rule, civil war and famine. But since a peace deal ended 16 years of civil conflict, the country has made big strides, becoming a magnet for foreign investment.
Having led the country to independence in 1975, the Mozambique Liberation Front - Frelimo - found itself challenged by the right-wing national resistance party, Renamo.
 
Up to a million Mozambicans died from fighting and famine in a war that ruined the economy and left the countryside pitted with mines.
 
A political settlement in 1992 was followed by stability and rapid economic growth for one of the world's poorest countries. However it suffered a serious setback in 2000 and 2001 when it was struck by floods, which affected about a quarter of the population.
 
In 2002 a severe drought hit many central and southern parts of the country, including previously flood stricken areas. Poverty remains widespread, with more than half the population living on less than $1 a day. 

 
Our work
 
By the time Interpeace began working in Mozambique in July 1995, the country had embarked on a rapid transition from war to peace. The hundred or so international aid agencies present were assessing their role and usefulness in the country. Their relationship with the Frelimo government had become strained as the government sought to reassert itself and not become aid-dependent.
 
Although it recognised external actors had a role in consolidating peace, there were fewer opportunities for dialogue with the aid community as national priorities shifted towards the need for economic restructuring and investment.
 
Interpeace's offer to provide an impartial venue to discuss politically sensitive issues was welcomed by the government, civil society and the international community.
 
After widely consulting with a wide range of actors, four national priorities for reconstruction and reconciliation were identified: reintegration of demobilised soldiers, greater role for the mass media in promoting democracy and development, improved participation in local self-governance and changes to agricultural structural adjustment policies. 

 
Key achievements 
 
Greater understanding of diverse points of view on shared concerns - It was the first time outside intellectual circles that people from different regions and political affiliations came together to listen to each others points of view.
 
Objective local research shed new light on previously intractable issues - Local research helped to break the impasse between the government and veterans organisations on whether soldiers had been successfully reintegrated. It showed that it was not much of a problem in the countryside and only an issue in the cities of Maputo and Beira, thus making it easier to tackle.
 
High-level backing from the government and international organisations ensured the project influenced key decision makers - The project had the support of the Prime Minister and President, who ensured its recommendations were distributed within government ministries. The World Bank changed its polices towards Mozambique as a result of information obtained during the process.
 
The Centre for the Study of Democracy and Development - This local institution was set up to promote dialogue amongst major actors on policies and development programmes. 

 
Completion of the project
 
In April 1998 the project wound up, with agreement that its work would be followed up, with the creation of the locally based Centre for the Study of Democracy and Development.