Files
Abstract
This paper discusses similarities and differences in the political and economic
prospects for Angola and Mozambique. Central to the posing of these questions is the
meaning and usefulness of putting these two countries in the same category. While both
share some elements of a common colonial history, their similarities are in many respects
outweighed by their differences. Angola is a country whose economy is dominated by
huge oil revenues and whose governing party, the MPLA, recently won a military victory
over its long time opposition, UNITA. UNITA, though now much weakened, nevertheless
represents the legitimate interests of a large segment of the population, whose home
provinces are the most agriculturally favored in the country. Mozambique is a country
with many fewer natural resources, but in which the ruling party, FRELIMO, has fully
embraced a policy of liberalization and opening of the economy. Its main opposition
party, RENAMO, originated as a creature of foreign powers and lost its principal distinguishing
feature of anti-Marxism when the governing party itself abandoned Marxism
beginning a decade after independence.