How did Frelimo’s support for guerrilla movements in Rhodesia and South Africa affect Mozambique?

Frelimo’s decision to support guerrilla movements in Rhodesia and South Africa had severe consequences for Mozambique, resulting in significant economic and military retaliation from those white-minority regimes.12

By allowing guerrilla forces to establish bases within its borders and implementing international sanctions against Rhodesia, Mozambique suffered major losses of revenue and lives, as well as the destruction of critical infrastructure. In response to Frelimo’s support for the African National Congress (ANC) and other liberation groups, both Rhodesia and South Africa launched cross-border raids into Mozambican territory.123

Furthermore, these hostile regimes—along with former Portuguese settlers and internal opposition—trained, supplied, and supported the Renamo insurgency. Renamo’s campaign of economic sabotage and terror against the rural population effectively undermined the early successes of Frelimo’s government in education, health care, and social services. Although the 1984 Nkomati Accord was intended to end mutual support for opposition movements, South Africa’s continued violations of the agreement forced Frelimo to pursue further negotiations, eventually leading to a peace agreement in 1992.12