How did Angola and Mozambique gain independence after Portugal's 1974 military coup?

Following the 1974 Revolution of the Carnations in Portugal, the new regime sought to end colonial wars and negotiate independence for its African territories. The transition, however, unfolded differently for Angola and Mozambique.

Mozambique

Frelimo, which had waged a guerrilla war against Portuguese rule since 1964, leveraged its strong military position following the coup to insist on a cease-fire. This confirmed its right to assume power. After a brief period of transition, Mozambique achieved formal independence on June 25, 1975, emerging as a one-party state led by Samora Machel.12

Angola

In contrast, Angola’s path was marked by instability. Three competing liberation movements failed to form a united front, leading to a power vacuum. The Portuguese military, exhausted by war, withdrew in November 1975 without formally transferring power to any specific group. The MPLA seized control of the capital, Luanda, and declared independence, but the country immediately descended into a protracted, internationalized civil war involving rival factions and foreign intervention.34