How was Renamo created and supported during Mozambique’s civil conflict?

The Mozambique National Resistance (Renamo) was formed in 1976 by white Rhodesian officers. Their primary objective was to prevent the newly independent Mozambican government from supporting black guerrillas who were fighting to overthrow the white-minority government in Rhodesia. To build their force, these officers recruited disaffected guerrillas who had previously served in the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo).1

Throughout the civil conflict, Renamo was trained, supplied, and supported by a coalition that included Rhodesia, South Africa, former Portuguese settlers, and Mozambicans who opposed Frelimo. Following the initial involvement of Rhodesia, the sponsorship of the insurgency was taken over by the South African armed forces.21

Renamo engaged in a campaign of economic sabotage and terror against the rural population, targeting infrastructure such as power lines, railways, roads, and bridges. Although the 1984 Nkomati Accord was intended to end support for Renamo by South Africa, the agreement was violated, and the conflict continued until a formal peace agreement was reached in 1992.21