In a world where good news is scarce, Mozambique's peace process has been extraordinary, marking the long-awaited conclusion to the armed conflict that has affected the country since its independence in 1975.
The signing of the Maputo Accord for Peace and National Reconciliation in 2019 has generated hope and inspiration. Achieved in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and extreme weather events, the landmark peace deal has resulted in former combatants disarming, demobilizing and reintegrating into society.
Since then, “silencing the guns” and embracing dialogue has become a Mozambican way of life, which is essential for the attainment of long-lasting peace.
As the Swiss Ambassador to the country and later as Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Mozambique, I have spent 6 years accompanying the negotiations that led to the historic peace agreement between the Government of Mozambique and the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), the country's main opposition party.
Mozambique has demonstrated the remarkable achievements that can be attained through negotiated solutions, serving as a global exemplar of the potential for resolving armed conflicts through dialogue.
I see three fundamental reasons for the success of the Mozambique peace process:
One, the process was nationally-led from the outset. As part of a small mediation team, I spent three years shuttling — often to the bush — between talks with the President of Mozambique Filipe Jacinto Nyusi and the late Afonso Dhlakama, Renamo’s leader at the time.
From the outset, the Government of Mozambique and Renamo took ownership and initiative in establishing a national peace architecture, fostering trust through shared commitment and mutual respect.
Their earnest efforts to achieve a lasting agreement were exemplified when they announced a ceasefire just one month after resuming talks. This spirit of reconciliation continued with Ossufo Momade, who succeeded Mr. Dhlakama after his unexpected death.
While the core mediation team played an important facilitation role, the government has championed national solutions to the country’s problems by listening and creating a culture of dialogue between itself and Renamo.
Two, the process was based on ensuring a peace dividend and support for reintegration into civilian life. The disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) process is a key element of efforts to build peace. It has resulted in more than 4,800 individuals settling in locations of their choice to begin their reintegration journey, with communities welcoming home these women and men.
Inclusive local development has played a pivotal role in anchoring peace within communities. By involving everyone, we are giving peace a better chance of success.
A focus on investing in locally-led development is spurring reintegration partners to support interventions aimed at promoting participatory planning processes and investment cycles at the community level.
These efforts prioritize the voices and experiences of community members and former combatants, creating a sturdy foundation for reinforcing the social fabric of communities and advancing reintegration and national reconciliation.
Following more than three years of implementation, the Maputo Accord for Peace and National Reconciliation is steadily establishing deeper roots. The peace process showcases the unwavering commitment of Mozambique's leaders to dialogue, as the only sustainable route towards lasting peace.
Three, the process takes a forward-thinking and adaptive approach with targeted investments to embed peace. The parties dealt with obstacles they encountered along the way through direct and open dialogue, employing agile decision-making and taking decisive actions
For example, numerous activities ground to a halt because of COVID-19. Yet, within a month, President Nyusi and Renamo leader Mr. Momade swiftly met and held extensive consultations, leading to the safe and successful resumption of DDR activities in June 2020.
In the past, DDR was treated as a technical and time-limited process. By contrast, this time round, the peace negotiations tackled long-standing issues for the demobilized and introduced innovative reforms that encouraged the involvement of a broad range of actors, including those in the private sector.
The recent groundbreaking signing of a decree incorporating eligible demobilized DDR beneficiaries into the national pension system sets an example for reconciliation.
Guided by the need to serve the interests of all Mozambicans, both parties’ ability to agree on the challenging issue of pensions served as a clear demonstration of the negotiators’ human-centered approach to the process. It marks a milestone in our collective pursuit to achieve a peaceful and prosperous Mozambique.
As we build on these gains and strengthen the foundations of peace and national reconciliation, the UN reiterates its unwavering commitment to supporting the people of Mozambique in their pursuit of a better future and lasting peace.
Implementation
Following more than three years of implementation, the Maputo Accord for Peace and National Reconciliation is steadily establishing deeper roots. The peace process showcases the unwavering commitment of Mozambique's leaders to dialogue, as the only sustainable route towards lasting peace.
In Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique is also applying a model of building peace and security through dynamic regional and local solutions, seeking to apply inter-African interventions to resolve challenges in the region.
As Mozambique seizes this tremendous opportunity as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the country has a chance to bring its unique experiences to the world stage.
In March this year, I had the privilege of sharing some of these lessons at the Peacebuilding Commission and at the UN Security Council open debate on “Silencing the Guns in Africa”. President Nyusi chaired both sessions.
Mozambique has demonstrated the remarkable achievements that can be attained through negotiated solutions, serving as a global exemplar of the potential for resolving armed conflicts through dialogue.
I am confident that Mozambicans will continue to share their best practices with the world.
As we build on these gains and strengthen the foundations of peace and national reconciliation, the UN reiterates its unwavering commitment to supporting the people of Mozambique in their pursuit of a better future and lasting peace.
Mirko Manzoni is Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Mozambique
