Mozambique: President Chissano to Speak At the Woodrow Wilson Center

21 February 2002
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (Washington, DC)
press release

Washington, D.C. — His Excellency Joaquim Chissano, President of Mozambique, will speak at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars on Wednesday, February 27, 2002 from 9:30-10:30am in the Center's 6th floor Auditorium. The title of his address is, "Political Stability, Conflict Resolution, and Economic Development in Southern Africa". The Woodrow Wilson Center is located in the Ronald Reagan Building at 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW in Washington, D.C.

One of the original founders of the Mozambican Liberation Front (FRELIMO) that struggled against Portuguese rule, Chissano became president in 1986, following the death of Samora Machel in a plane crash. It was under his leadership that the first steps toward a peaceful resolution of the civil war were initiated. Re-elected in 1999, Chissano recently announced his intention to stand down at the end of his current term in 2004.

After independence in 1975 Mozambique was drawn into the struggle against white rule in Rhodesia and South Africa. Between 1977 and 1992 up to a million Mozambicans died from fighting and famine, leaving the economy in ruins and the country littered with landmines. A political settlement in 1992 was followed by stability and economic growth for one of the world's poorest countries. However, Mozambique suffered serious setbacks in early 2000 when floods displaced a quarter of the population and destroyed much of its infrastructure. However, Mozambique is experiencing a strong economic recovery, and the government projects a 7-10% annual economic growth rate for the next 5 years. Currently Mozambique is one of the beacons of democracy and market-oriented economic reforms in southern Africa. President Chissano will reflect on his country's role in fostering stability and development in the region.

Howard Wolpe, Wilson Center Public Policy Scholar, will moderate the meeting. A former chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Wolpe most recently served as Presidential Special Envoy to Africa's Great Lakes Region.

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is the living memorial to Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States. A non-partisan institute, the Center promotes no policy agenda, but acts as a forum for research and debate of current events and historical issues. The Woodrow Wilson Center supports research in social sciences and humanities, with an emphasis on history, political science, and international relations.

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