Mozambique, a nation deeply scarred by 16 years of civil war, embarked on a hopeful journey towards peace with the signing of the General Peace Accord (GPA) in Rome on October 4, 1992. This landmark agreement, which aimed to end the brutal conflict that had devastated the country, was the result of 12 intense rounds of negotiations between President Joaquim Chissano and RENAMO leader Afonso Dhlakama. The United Nations (UN) played a pivotal role in this transformative process, establishing the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) under UN Security Council Resolution 797 to oversee the implementation of the GPA.
ONUMOZ’s Crucial Role in Mozambique’s Peace Process
ONUMOZ was entrusted with several critical tasks to ensure the success of the peace process. Its responsibilities included monitoring and verifying the ceasefire, overseeing the withdrawal of Malawian and Zimbabwean units from key transport corridors, and protecting these corridors with its own forces. To achieve its mandate, ONUMOZ operated with both civilian and military departments, responsible for the cantonment, disarmament, and demobilization of nearly 110,000 combatants from both sides.
A significant aspect of the mission was the resettlement of between five and six million refugees and displaced persons, with an estimated budget of $331 million required until November 31, 1993. By 1996, 87 percent of demobilized soldiers had successfully reintegrated into society, with many securing stable food supplies or a small guaranteed income. The total reintegration budget amounted to $94.4 million, benefiting approximately 92,000 soldiers, including 71,000 from government forces and 21,000 from RENAMO.
Navigating Challenges and Celebrating Achievements
Despite these substantial efforts, the resumption of conflict in 2013 underscored ongoing challenges. The availability of arms for RENAMO was a significant issue, with an estimated three to four million weapons still in circulation at the end of the war in 1992. During the peace process from 1992 to 1994, ONUMOZ prioritized transforming RENAMO into a political party and dismantling its command structures rather than focusing solely on disarmament. While this approach aimed to maintain peace, it left a substantial number of weapons unaccounted for, contributing to renewed violence.
The GPA initially fostered over 20 years of peace in Mozambique. However, it also facilitated the rapid transformation of the FRELIMO elite into a patrimonial political class intent on retaining power at all costs. The discovery of gas and coal reserves heightened tensions, prompting RENAMO to return to armed violence in 2013 to advocate for a new power-sharing agreement. Analysts such as Sumich and Honwana have highlighted the fragility of the GPA elite bargain, noting that FRELIMO’s reluctance to share power could exacerbate the divisions and inequalities that fueled the civil war.
Financial and Social Impacts of the Peace Process
The peace process in Mozambique faced significant financial challenges. The cost of the ONUMOZ mission was considerable, requiring an estimated $331 million to sustain operations until the end of 1993. This included expenses related to the cantonment, disarmament, and demobilization of combatants, as well as the resettlement of millions of refugees and displaced persons.
A key success of the ONUMOZ mission was the reintegration of demobilized soldiers into society. By 1996, 87 percent of these soldiers had successfully transitioned to civilian life, with many securing a stable food supply or a small, guaranteed income. The total reintegration budget reached $94.4 million, with significant portions allocated to support ex-combatants through cash payments and other forms of assistance.
However, the lingering presence of arms for RENAMO posed a serious challenge. Despite ONUMOZ’s efforts to transform RENAMO into a political party and dismantle its command structures, an estimated three to four million weapons remained in circulation at the end of the war in 1992. This situation contributed to the resurgence of conflict in 2013.
Lessons for Lasting Peace
The GPA and the ONUMOZ mission marked significant progress, providing over 20 years of peace to Mozambique. However, the underlying political and economic tensions remained unresolved. The resurgence of conflict in 2013 highlighted the fragility of the peace process and the ongoing challenges in achieving lasting stability in the region. The efforts of UN peacekeeping forces were instrumental in ushering in a period of peace, but the complexities of Mozambique’s political landscape continue to pose challenges for long-term stability.
The story of Mozambique’s peace process underscores the importance of comprehensive disarmament and the need for inclusive political solutions to prevent the recurrence of conflict. As Mozambique continues to navigate its path to peace, the lessons learned from the ONUMOZ mission remain relevant for other post-conflict regions around the world.