People's Republic of Mozambique People's Republic of Mozambique The People's Republic of Mozambique (Portuguese: "República Popular de Moçambique") was a self-declared communist state that lasted from 25 June 1975 to 1 December 1990, when the country became the present-day Republic of Mozambique. The People's Republic of Mozambique was established shortly after the country gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and the Mozambique Liberation Front ("FRELIMO") established a one-party state. It was led by Samora Machel, which soon was engaged in a civil war with the Mozambique National Resistance ("Renamo"), a guerilla movement initially financed by the Republic of Rhodesia (present-day Zimbabwe), but later replaced
Mozambique AD, Bantu-speaking peoples migrated to present-day Mozambique from farther north and west. Beginning in the 11th century, Arab, Persian, and Somali merchants began settlements and establishing commercial ports along the coast, contributing to the development of a distinct Swahili culture and language. The voyage of Vasco da Gama in 1498 marked the arrival of the Portuguese, who began a gradual process of colonisation and settlement in 1505. After over four centuries of Portuguese rule, Mozambique gained independence in 1975, becoming the People's Republic of Mozambique shortly thereafter. After only two years of independence, the country descended into an intense and