Mozambique’s Forgotten Civil War | Footage From the Frontline (1985)
In January 1985 Mozambique was in the midst of a bitter civil war between the ruling Frelimo government and the Mozambique National Resistance. The conflict, rooted in the aftermath of independence from Portugal in 1975, was intensified by regional tensions and Cold War rivalries. Fighting and repeated ambushes severely damaged the economy, leaving shops empty, hotels and beaches deserted, and trade through Maputo’s docks at a standstill. Diplomatic efforts were under way, including talks between President Samora Machel and South African Prime Minister Pieter Botha, but the violence continued to shape daily life across the country.