Implementation Maputo Peace Accord

Project completed

As chair of the Contact Group, mediator and main donor to the peace process in Mozambique, Switzerland has played a key role so far, leading to the successful Peace Accord (MPA) between the ruling party (Frelimo) and the opposing party (Renamo) in August 2019. It will continue this engagement with the support of the implementation of this Agreement which focusses on Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reinsertion (DDR) of the ex-combatants and reconciliation and enhanced decentralisation. 

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Mozambique
Conflict & fragility
Governance
nothemedefined
Conflict prevention
Decentralisation
Reintegration and SALW control
01.07.2020 - 31.12.2021
CHF  4’500’000
Background

After independence in 1977, a civil war erupted between the two opposing parties Frelimo and Renamo on power and resource sharing, causing thousands of causalities and severely hampering the socio-economic development of the country.  After the collapse of the 1992 Peace Agreement in 2012, and several subsequent failed peace processes, a new window of opportunity for sustainable peace was achieved through the Swiss brokered Maputo Peace Accord (MAP), signed in August 2019. DDR and enhanced decentralisation are the main issues to be implemented, in order to achieve sustainable peace, which is a precondition for substantive socio-economic development of the country.

However, while first positive implementation steps can be noted (demobilisation of first combatants, first provincial elections held in October 19), the recent political development since the conclusion of the MAP have not been very favourable to instil confidence and push the process forward swiftly.

Objectives The overall objective is to contribute to peace and reconciliation in Mozambique to avoid the resurgence of armed hostilities between the Government and Renamo.
Target groups

Overall 28 Mio. Mozambican men and women are benefiting from sustainable peace and security.

Direct project beneficiaries are the Frelimo and Renamo benefiting from enhanced credibility by securing tangible peace dividend and 5521 Renamo combatants (227 women) to be re-inserted into their communities.

Indirect beneficiaries are communities in the conflict areas, benefiting from enhanced security, freedom of movement, and more favourable development and private sector investment conditions.

Medium-term outcomes
  • Peace infrastructure exists to support the full implementation of the Maputo Accord for Peace and Reconciliation
  • Disarmament and demobilisation of Renamo ex-combatants is completed as per MoU and a reintegration concept is agreed collaboratively.
Results

Expected results:  

  • A strengthened internationally supported peace infrastructure (secretariat, basket fund, technical working groups, advisory and coordination bodies) provides political, technical, logistical and administrative support to the peace implementation process.
  • A jointly agreed DDR concept by the government and Renamo is finalised and implemented with a special focus on gender aspects.
  • By the end of 2020, the disarmament and demobilisation of 5221 men and women ex-combatants is completed and reinsertion packages are provided.
  • Appropriate community based programmes are developed and piloted according to identified reintegration needs and priorities
  • The Personal Envoy of the UNSG facilitates the dialogue between the Parties and supports joint decision making by presenting viable options


Results from previous phases:  

Switzerland mediated the MAP in the frame of a single phase project[1]. Major achievements of the supported process were a) the signing of the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities (1 August 2019), b) the revision of the Constitution stipulating enhanced decentralisation, which led to the first elections of Provincial Governors in October 2019 and district level elections foreseen for 2024, c) an agreement on the DDR architecture, including the integration of 30 Renamo members into the Military and Police forces in February and August 2019 (process for integration of additional forces ongoing). The establishment of a basket fund to support the implementation of the MAP in January 2020. The successful mediation earned Switzerland an excellent reputation.

 

[1] SDC supported the mediation process in the frame of a single phase project. With the appointment of the former Swiss Ambassador, Mirko Manzoni, as the Personal Envoy of the UNSG, the establishment of a basket fund, and UNOPS as the administrative agent, an internationalized set-up with a completely new structure was established to support the implementation process. Above mentioned results are therefore not results of a previous phase, but of the Swiss engagement in the mediation process.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
United Nations Organization (UNO)
  • Other UN Organisation


Other partners
United Nations Office for Project Support (UNOPS)
Coordination with other projects and actors Swiss SDC Portfolio Mozambique, International Development Partners, members of the Contact Group, HSD, ASAF, DDS 
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    4’500’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    4’385’000
Project phases

Phase 1 01.07.2020 - 31.12.2021   (Completed)