People's Republic of Mozambique

Following the collapse of the fascist Estado Novo regime during the Carnation Revolution in Portugal in 1974 the new Portuguese government began a slow process of withdrawal from Africa. In initial negotiations with the new Portuguese government FRELIMO and Samora Machel rejected attempts for a ceasefire and referendum insisting these would impose in Mozambique a neo-colonial solution. Samora Machel laid out three main prerequisites for peace: recognition of FRELIMO as the Mozambican people's legitimate representative; recognition of the Mozambican people's right to complete independence; and the transfer of power to FRELIMO. The talks were initially broken off before quietly being resumed later in the year.[6][7]

By mid-1974 Portugal's imperial power in Mozambique was quickly crumbling. White settlers were quickly abandoning the country and troops were either deserting, refusing to fight or pleading with FRELIMO for ceasefires. As this was occurring FRELIMO forces continued to penetrate further south into the country, putting pressure on the Portuguese government to find a solution to the Mozambique issue. On 7 September 1974, The Lusaka Accord on the independence of Mozambique was signed by Samora Machel for FRELIMO and Mozambique, and by Ernesto Melo Antunes and several colleagues for Portugal after months of public and private negotiation. A transitional government led by Joaquim Chissano was then installed on 20 September 1974 composed of six FRELIMO and four Portuguese members. It served as a caretaker government until independence came on 25 June 1975.[8]

Within hours of the signing of the Lusaka Accord the first of many groups of rebels appeared. A group of former Portuguese commandos calling themselves "The Dragons of Death" seized the radio station in Lourenço Marques and attempted to stage a coup.[9] They released about 200 detained PIDE agents in Lourenço Marques while other supporters of the Dragons began touring black townships in open vehicles, shooting at black Mozambicans randomly. The coup attempt lasted one weekend until the FRELIMO controlled Portuguese managed to force the rebels to leave the country.

During this transitional period FRELIMO had to find ways of creating a structure for people's power in the country. FRELIMO chose to do this through workplace democracy and with its own invention of grupos dinamizadores or "dynamizing groups." These groups were formed to agitate, organise and educate Mozambicans about FRELIMO, socialism and the problems facing the country.[10] The dynamic groups quickly grew in size and most workplaces and towns had their own local grupo dinamizador by Independence in 1975.

The Central Committee of FRELIMO adopted the constitution of the People's Republic of Mozambique on June 20, which established that power belongs to the workers and peasants "united and led by FRELIMO and by the organs of people's power." The country's independence was officially proclaimed five days later. Under the new system, FRELIMO was officially the "leading force of the state and society," the President was automatically president of the Republic, President of the People's Assembly, and, until in 1986, head of government. Mozambique had a planned economy. The state recognized private property, but stated that it "cannot be used against the interests defined the constitution." The territory was divided into provinces headed by governors appointed by the president and governed "in accordance with FRELIMO and the government." The governors had authority over the district administrators and local administrators.[11]

The first months of the presidency of Samora Machel were marked by a series of radical measures: land, education and health were nationalized; three radio stations were abolished and replaced by a national state radio; and the press fell under the control of the government and the party.[12] The independent state continued FRELIMO's policy of alliance with communist countries, which it considered its "natural allies."[13][14]

Upon independence in 1975 the guerilla forces of FRELIMO, the People's Forces for the Liberation of Mozambique (Forças Populares de Libertação de Moçambique - FPLM) was reorganised into the Armed Forces of Mozambique (Forças Armadas de Moçambique - FAM), the official designation being "Forças Armadas de Moçambique - FPLM."

The FAM was initially organised along similar lines to its predecessor, with no formal ranks[15] besides from a system of "comandantes" who were elected to the position by fellow soldiers. FRELIMO and the FAM/FPLM were virtually indistinguishable from each other following their close relationship through the liberation struggle. In December 1975 Mozambique was rocked by an abortive rebellion in Lourenço Marques (Maputo) when 400 troops of the FAM occupied strategic positions in Machava before being forced back by loyal police, military and civilians. The rebellion was in response to a crackdown and purge on corruption within the military and party.[16]

Because of the FAM/FPLM's close connection with the Mozambican people, corruption was rarely an issue and abuses of power were often reported with harsh punishments, with 8 soldiers arrested and imprisoned in March 1977 after reports of serious abuses against the people.[17]