Image: Young Leaders Diskussion Mosambik of FES

Mozambique

After the liberation struggle of today`s ruling party FRELIMO against the colonial power Portugal and 16 years of civil war, the new pluralistic constitution of 1992 paved Mozambique's way to multi-party democracy. Despite progress in peace-building, the development of state institutions and economic inclusion, the political and economic transformation in Mozambique today faces challenges: Attacks on freedom of expression, freedom of information and freedom of assembly are increasing. The boundaries between the ruling party, the state and the economy are blurred. Since 2017, the resource-rich north of the country has been the scene of attacks by violent extremists with links to the Islamic State (IS). The poverty rate remains high despite the country's natural resource gains and many years of development efforts, while income disparities are increasing.

A key challenge in the coming years will therefore be to utilise the large reserves of raw materials for a socially and gender just as well as sustainable development of the country and thus improve the economic prospects of the young population. Decentralising the administration, strengthening the rule of law and promoting transparency as well as inclusive participation are important milestones along the way.

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung has been working in Maputo since 1984. Together with its partners in trade unions, politics, civil society and academia, it works on the topics of democratic participation, gender justice, sustainable development and fair income distribution. It supports socio-political actors in actively contributing with their proposals to political and economic reform processes and to the creation of sustainable and inclusive peace in the country.

In addition, the FES Mozambique supports regional projects in the area of peace and security and party co-operation. The office is also home to the continent-wide Competence Center for Gender Justice and Transformation.

You can find out more about our work in Mozambique on the website of the country project.