Country profile: Mozambique

Mozambique has been battered by colonial rule, civil war and famine. But since a peace deal ended 16 years of civil conflict the country has made big strides, becoming a magnet for foreign investment.

After independence in 1975 Mozambique was drawn into the struggle against white rule in Rhodesia and South Africa.

Overview

• Overview
• Facts
• Leaders
• Media

The rebel movement Renamo was created by Rhodesia to counter black nationalist guerrillas fighting for Rhodesian independence.

AT-A-GLANCE Politics: Ruling Frelimo party's Armando Guebuza won presidential elections in 2004. Former rebel group Renamo holds 92 parliamentary seats to Frelimo's 158 Economy: Observers fear Mozambique is pursuing capital-intensive, showpiece mega-projects which generate little social benefit; natural disasters have slowed post-civil war reconstruction International: Mozambican peacekeepers are in Burundi Timeline

When Rhodesia became independent as Zimbabwe in 1980, the rebels were used by South Africa's military intelligence to coerce Mozambique into expelling exiled South African dissidents and to show the world that black rule did not necessarily mean stability.

Between 1977 and 1992 up to a million Mozambicans died from fighting and famine in a war that ruined the economy and much of the countryside. The country has been left with a legacy of landmines and amputees.

A political settlement in 1992 was followed by stability and rapid economic growth for one of the world's poorest countries. However, it suffered serious setbacks when in 2000 and 2001 it was hit by floods which affected about a quarter of the population and destroyed much of its infrastructure.

In 2002, a severe drought hit many central and southern parts of the country, including previously flood-stricken areas. Poverty remains widespread, with more than 50% of Mozambicans living on less than $1 a day.

Facts

• Overview
• Facts
• Leaders
• Media

• Full name: The Republic of Mozambique
• Population: 21.8 million (via UN, 2008)
• Capital: Maputo
• Area: 812,379 sq km (313,661 sq miles)
• Major languages: Portuguese (official), Makua-Lomwe, Tsonga, Shona, Swahili
• Major religions: Indiginous beliefs, Islam, Christianity
• Life expectancy: 42 years (men), 42 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 metical (plural meticais) = 100 centavos
• Main exports: Seafood, cotton
• GNI per capita: US $320 (World Bank, 2007)
• Internet domain: .mz
• International dialling code: +258

Leaders

• Overview
• Facts
• Leaders
• Media

President: Armando Guebuza

Armando Guebuza won nearly 64% of the December 2004 vote

Armando Guebuza, from the ruling Frelimo party, succeeded Mozambique's long-time leader Joaquim Chissano in February 2005.

The main opposition party, Renamo, disputed the outcome of the presidential poll and alleged that the election had been rigged. Monitors said irregularities were probably not sufficient to have changed the outcome.

Mr Guebuza, a wealthy businessman, said he would continue the economic reforms started by his predecessor. On taking office he promised to fight corruption, bureaucracy and poverty.

Armando Guebuza joined Frelimo's armed wing and played a leading role in Mozambique's struggle for independence. As a former interior minister in 1975 he ordered the expulsion of Portuguese citizens from the country.

His predecessor, Joaquim Chissano, became president in 1986 after the death of founding president, Samora Machel. Mr Chissano oversaw a move away from Marxism and the introduction of a multi-party constitution.

Media

• Overview
• Facts
• Leaders
• Media

Television is the most popular medium in towns and cities, with state-run TVM, the only national network, and private STV topping the ratings. Portuguese state TV's African service, RTP Africa, and Brazilian-owned TV Miramar are widely-watched.

State-run Antena Nacional radio is a key source of news for many Mozambicans. Private FM stations operate in most towns. BBC World Service broadcasts to Maputo (95.5 FM), Beira (88.5 FM), Xai Xai (100.9 FM), Nampula (88.3 FM) and Quelimane (95.3 FM).

Dozens of community radio and TV stations are funded by the government and Unesco. Print titles have little influence in the countryside because of high levels of illiteracy.

The constitution protects media freedom, but criminal libel laws deter total freedom of expression. The opposition says it receives inadequate coverage in the state media.

By early 2008, 200,000 Mozambicans were online (ITU figure).

The press

• Noticias - main daily, has government shareholding
• Diario de Mocambique - private, daily
• Demos - private, weekly
• Zambeze - private, weekly
• Domingo - private, weekly
• Savana - private, weekly
• Fim de Semana - private, weekly
• Folha Universal - private, weekly

Television

• Televisao de Mozambique (TVM) - state-run
• Soico TV (STV) - private
• TV Miramar - private

Radio

• Radio Mozambique - state-run, operates national Antena Nacional network and provincial and local channels in Portuguese, English and many indigenous languages
• Radio Cidade - state-run, youth-oriented FM network
• Radio Miramar - private
• Nove FM - private
• Radio-Televisao Klint (RTK) - private
• Radio Maria Mozambique - Roman Catholic

News agency

• Agencia Informacao Mocambique (AIM) - English-language pages