As promised, this is the first of several installments on both the up side
and the down side of Africa's struggle to find a reasonably comfortable
niche in the New World economy.

Excerpt from CAN AFRICA CLAIM THE 21ST CENTURY - by African Development
Bank, African Economic Research Consortium, Global Coalition for Africa,
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and World Bank



MOZAMBIQUE offers a striking and unlikely example of the reconstruction of
national governance institutions after a brutal civil war.  Colonized by
Portugal in the 16th century, it served primarily as a colony of last resort
for that country's poor.  Political discontent with Portuguese rule produced
a guerrilla war and victory in 1974, led by the current ruling party
FRELIMO.  But before long FRELIMO's failing Marxist program was sabotaged by
RENAMO, a guerilla force supported by Rhodesia and South Africa.  The
indiscriminate destruction of infrastructure and killing of civilians by
RENAMO and by FRELIMO counteroffensives left most of rural Mozambique a vast
killing field.

Discussions between the two sides began in 1989, leading to full-fledged
negotiations in 1992.  Unlike talks elsewhere in Africa, neither FRELIMO nor
RENAMO sought a zero-sum solution.  Negotiations produced new democratic
constitution, multiparty elections in 1994, full demobilization of both
armies, and the building of a new party-neutral army.  Though not part of
government, RENAMO enjoys a share of state resources and local support in
its central Mozambique bailiwick.  A second round of elections was held in
1999.

Peace and economic liberalization have changed Mozambique beyond
recognition.  Though still very poor, it was one of the fastest-growing
economies in Africa in the 1990s.  Strong macroeconomic management has
attracted considerable external aid and higher private investment than many
of its wealthier neighbors.  Much remains to be done, however, especially in
the countryside-and especially with the massive destruction wrought by
recent floods.

END

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