The new episode focuses on Mozambique. Located in south-eastern Africa along the Indian Ocean coast, the country possesses vast reserves of natural gas, coal, and titanium ores. Despite this, it remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Professor Lumumba explains why.
After several centuries of Portuguese rule, Mozambique gained independence in 1975. The new ruling party, FRELIMO (the Mozambique Liberation Front), adopted a communist course and aligned itself with the Soviet Union. This choice provoked strong opposition from pro-Western neighbours in the south of the continent—primarily South Africa and Rhodesia (modern-day Zimbabwe).
In an effort to destabilise Mozambique from within, South Africa and Rhodesia began providing informational and financial support to the anti-government group RENAMO (the Mozambican National Resistance).
Mozambique descended into chaos and remained divided for a long time between two camps: on one side, the pro-communist FRELIMO government and its supporters; on the other, RENAMO militants and their external allies.
A new conflict erupted in 2017. In the north of the country, in Cabo Delgado Province, a radical Islamist group known as «Al-Shabaab» rose up against the central government, promoting the creation of a religious state and the defence of Muslims. The group’s actions triggered a new wave of violence and unrest, with militants attacking civilians and destroying state institutions.
Although the government, with the support of external allies, managed to prevent Al-Shabaab from fully seizing the north, it has not succeeded in completely suppressing the insurgency. Today, Cabo Delgado Province remains a zone of chronic instability.
