History of Mozambique

Background: Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony known as Portuguese East Africa came to a close for Mozambique with independence in 1975. Large-scale emigration by whites, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development. The ruling party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement with rebel forces ended the fighting in 1992.

In 1995, Mozambique joined the Commonwealth, becoming the only member nation that was never part of the British Empire.

See also : Mozambique