Security

Mozambique has a history of violence and wars. It won its political independence from Portugal in 1975 after a 10-year national liberation struggle (1964-1974). Since then, it has experienced a civil war (1977-1992) and a small-scale post-electoral conflict (2013-2019) between the former warring parties, the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) and the opposition Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO). Since 2017, the northern province of Cabo Delgado, rich in natural resources including world-class natural gas and graphite, has been facing an armed insurgency led by a local Islamist group called Ahlu Sunnah wa Jamaah (ASWJ), which is linked to the Islamic State. MOZ TIMES pays special attention to covering peace and security issues in Mozambique, with breaking news from the field, expert commentary and analysis.