The Maputo Accord for Peace and National Reconciliation was signed in 2019 with a now famous embrace between the president of Mozambique, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, and the leader of the opposition party, the Mozambican National Resistance, or Renamo, Ossufo Momade. In 2012, when low levels of violence broke out and a 1992 United Nations-brokered peace agreement faltered, such a gesture between the government and opposition seemed impossible.
From a mediation process to the successful implementation of a peace deal, this was only possible by addressing root causes, implementing while negotiating, an agile structure, and embedding gender equity.
The disarmament and demobilization of over 5,000 Renamo combatants, a process that was finalized in June 2023, seemed even further out of reach. Now, these women and men are reintegrating into communities of their choice across Mozambique.
About the authors
Neha Sanghrajka
Neha Sanghrajka is a negotiator, mediator, and author with over fifteen years of experience delivering definitive and positive outcomes in high-stakes negotiations including in Kenya and Mozambique. Sanghrajka, a Kenyan of Asian descent, is a founding member of Women Mediators across the Commonwealth.
Mirko Manzoni
Ambassador Mirko Manzoni has more than 25 years of experience in diplomacy and the humanitarian field and recently concluded his mandate as personal envoy of the United Nations secretary general for Mozambique, from 2019 to 2023. He is currently Switzerland's ambassador to South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Mauritius, and Eswatini and permanent representative to the Southern African Development Community.
