The civil war in Cabo Delgado province and the consequent continued suspension of work on onshore installations for a major gas field dominated the year, although the first lng was shipped from a far-offshore floating platform. Eleven people were convicted in the $ 2 bn hidden debt scandal, including the son of former president Armando Guebuza. Illegal activities including drugs transit trade, illegal exporting of timber, and kidnapping of businesspeople continued unabated. Mozambique was elected to the unsc. President Filipe Nyusi began to press for a third term, although it is barred by the constitution.
The new president spent most of the year trying to gain control over the state machine, as resistance to change proved much fiercer than expected. The result was few new policies or initiatives. The economy continued to grow at more than 7%, but concern increased at the lack of rural development. Mozambique continued to be the donor darling, with promises of increased aid flows.
Mozambique remains the donor darling, with aid rising. The economy continues to grow at more than 7% a year, but concern increases about the lack of rural development and Mozambique's inability to reach the MDGs. It was a politically quiet year with few changes.
Mozambique remains the donor darling, with aid rising. The economy continues to grow at more than 7% a year, but a series of reports pointed to increasing inequality and noted that growth is not reaching the poor. Floods and other disasters made their mark. Provincial elections were postponed.
Frelimo's sweeping victory in local elections cemented its position as the predominant party. Renamo became increasingly insignificant. A cabinet reshuffle showed no fundamental political changes. The corruption crackdown netted some high profile arrests. Xenophobia in South Africa and the crisis in Zimbabwe were the most important sub-regional external factors impacting on foreign relations, while the negotiations with donors remained essential both in foreign affairs as well as socioeconomic developments. Economic growth continued, but worsening poverty triggered sporadic violence.
Frelimo's landslide victory in national elections confirmed its position as the predominant political party. Traditional opposition party Renamo continued its collapse, but a new third party made a strong showing. Donors withheld aid because of electoral misconduct and manipulation. Mozambique was not seriously affected by the global economic crisis. Economic growth continued, but poverty was not decreasing.
Riots over the rising cost of living came days before a national survey showed that poverty levels had not fallen for six years – the first term of President Armando Guebuza. No one questioned his overwhelming victory for a second and final term in late 2009, but early 2010 brought a flurry of criticism from observers and donors over the conduct of the election, leading to a brief donor strike. Drug smuggling and its links to the ruling party also became an issue.
Little happened on the domestic political scene, apart from the notable performance of a new political party. Foreign policy played out mainly at the economic interface, with major foreign interests featuring prominently. Mozambique’s leap to become a major mineral-energy exporter dominated its economic performance. By the end of the decade, the country is expected to be the largest exporter in Africa of natural gas, electricity and high quality metallurgical (coking) coal. But poverty was not reduced during the year and socio-economic disparities remained a major challenge.
Mozambique is only just adapting to its unexpected future as one of the top ten coal producers and top 20 gas producers in the world by the end of the decade. The government started learning to handle giant multinational mining and petroleum companies. Money would not flow soon, so Mozambique remained aid dependent, but the government made decisions that donors and the World Bank had previously blocked. There was increased jockeying for position as 2014 national elections approached with no clear presidential candidate.