Afonso Dhlakama

Mozambican guerrilla leader

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July 16, 2026

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Afonso Dhlakama was the leader of Renamo, a guerrilla organization that opposed the Marxist-leaning Mozambican government. Renamo was formed in 1976 and engaged in a civil war that caused significant loss of life and displacement. After a peace agreement in 1992, Renamo transitioned into a political party, participating in elections. Tensions persisted, leading to sporadic violence and Dhlakama revoking the peace agreement in 2013. A new peace agreement was reached in 2014, allowing Dhlakama to run for president, though he was defeated. Dhlakama died in 2018, with peace talks continuing under his successor.1234

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Mozambique
Peace in Mozambique
Renamo’s leader, Afonso Dhlakama, met with international political leaders and was accepted as a presidential candidate. During the election campaign the United Nations provided military and civilian police, who supervised the activities of their Mozambican counterparts, while the European Union supplied election materials. Although Frelimo and Renamo…
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Renamo’s leader, Afonso Dhlakama, met with international political leaders and was accepted as a presidential candidate. During the election campaign the United Nations provided military and civilian police, who supervised the activities of their Mozambican counterparts, while the European Union supplied election materials. Although Frelimo and Renamo…
Read More

Renamo
…groups—and in 2012 Renamo’s leader, Afonso Dhlakama, retreated to a Renamo jungle base, claiming that he feared for his life. Sporadic violence between Renamo fighters and government troops or police culminated in October 2013 with Dhlakama revoking the 1992 peace agreement.
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…groups—and in 2012 Renamo’s leader, Afonso Dhlakama, retreated to a Renamo jungle base, claiming that he feared for his life. Sporadic violence between Renamo fighters and government troops or police culminated in October 2013 with Dhlakama revoking the 1992 peace agreement.
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