The Country profile of Mozambique.
Since independence from Portugal in 1975, Mozambique has been battered by civil war, economic mismanagement and famine. A peace deal in 1992 ended 16 years of civil war, and the country has made much progress in economic development and political stability. Portugal began to colonise the area that became Mozambique in the early 16th century. An anti-authoritarian coup in 1974 in Portugal ended colonial rule and its ten-year war with the Frelimo independence movement. Mozambican support for armed groups fighting the white-minority rule governments in Rhodesia and South Africa led to those two countries sponsoring the Renamo movement, which fought Frelimo in the 1977-1992 civil war. At a Glance *. Politics: Frelimo party has been in power since independence from Portugal in 1975. Tension with former Renamo guerrillas has persisted. *.Economy: Mozambique was one of world's poorest countries in 1975, but has emerged as one of the fastest growing economies. It is expected to bec...