Executive branch:
chief of state: President Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO (since 6 November
1986); note—before being popularly elected, CHISSANO was elected
president by Frelimo's Central Committee 4 November 1986 (reelected
by the Committee 30 July 1989)
head of government: Prime Minister Pascoal MOCUMBI (since NA
December 1994)
cabinet: Cabinet
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 27 October 1994 (next to be held NA October
1999); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO elected president;
percent of vote—Joaquim CHISSANO 53.3%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 33.3%
Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the Republic or
Assembleia da Republica (250 seats; members are directly elected by
popular vote on a secret ballot to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 27-29 October 1994 (next to be held NA October
1999)
election results: percent of vote by party—Frelimo 44.33%, Renamo
33.78%, DU 5.15%, other 16.74%; seats by party—Frelimo 129, Renamo
112, DU 9
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the president
and judges elected by the Assembly
Political parties and leaders: Front for the Liberation of
Alberto CHISSANO, chairman]; Mozambique National Resistance
secretary]; note—the DU may have broken up into the three parties
that composed it—Liberal and Democratic Party of Mozambique,
National Democratic Party, and National Party of Mozambique
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO
(pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,
IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, SADC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marcos Geraldo NAMASHULUA chancery: Suite 570, 1990 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bryan Dean CURRAN embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo mailing address: P. O. Box 783, Maputo
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book
Economy
Economy—overview: Before the peace accord of October 1992, Mozambique's economy was devastated by a protracted civil war and socialist mismanagement. In 1994, it ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world. Since then, Mozambique has undertaken a series of economic reforms. Almost all aspects of the economy have been liberalized to some extent. More than 900 state enterprises have been privatized. Pending are tax and much needed commercial code reform, as well as greater private sector involvement in the transportation, telecommunications, and energy sectors. Since 1996, inflation has been low and foreign exchange rates stable. Albeit from a small base, Mozambique achieved one of the highest growth rates in the world in 1997-98. Still, the country depends on foreign assistance to balance the budget and to pay for a trade imbalance in which imports outnumber exports by three to one. The medium-term outlook for the country looks bright, as trade and transportation links to South Africa and the rest of the region are expected to improve and sizable foreign investments materialize. Among these investments are metal production (aluminum, steel), natural gas, power generation, agriculture (cotton, sugar), fishing, timber, and transportation services. Additional exports in these areas should bring in needed foreign exchange.