Editing Mozambique (section)

=== Foreign relations ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Mozambique}}
[[File:Embassy of Mozambique, Washington, D.C..jpg|thumb|upright|Mozambique's embassy in Washington, D.C.]]

While allegiances dating back to the liberation struggle remain relevant, Mozambique's foreign policy has become increasingly pragmatic. The twin pillars of Mozambique's foreign policy are maintenance of good relations with its neighbours<ref>Schenoni, Luis (2017) "Subsystemic Unipolarities?"in Strategic Analysis, 41(1): 74–86 [https://www.academia.edu/30528886/_Subsystemic_Unipolarities_Power_Distribution_and_State_Behaviour_in_South_America_and_Southern_Africa_in_Strategic_Analysis_41_1_74-86] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730082011/http://www.academia.edu/30528886/_Subsystemic_Unipolarities_Power_Distribution_and_State_Behaviour_in_South_America_and_Southern_Africa_in_Strategic_Analysis_41_1_74-86|date=30 July 2017}}</ref> and maintenance and expansion of ties to development partners.<ref name="BilateralRelationsFactSheet" />

During the 1970s and the early 1980s, Mozambique's foreign policy was inextricably linked to the struggles for majority rule in Rhodesia and South Africa as well as superpower competition and the [[Cold War]].<ref>[https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/7035.htm Mozambique] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604190815/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/7035.htm |date=4 June 2019 }}. State.gov (13 June 2012). Retrieved 29 January 2013.</ref> Mozambique's decision to enforce UN sanctions against Rhodesia and deny that country access to the sea led [[Ian Smith]]'s government to undertake overt and covert actions to oppose the country. Although the change of government in Zimbabwe in 1980 removed this threat, the government of South Africa continued to destabilise Mozambique.<ref name="BilateralRelationsFactSheet" /> Mozambique also belonged to the [[Frontline States]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/frontline-states|title=Frontline States|last=sahoboss|date=30 March 2011|website=South African History Online|access-date=11 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104073511/http://www.sahistory.org.za/article/frontline-states|archive-date=4 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The 1984 [[Nkomati Accord]], while failing in its goal of ending South African support to RENAMO, opened initial diplomatic contacts between the Mozambican and South African governments. This process gained momentum with South Africa's elimination of [[apartheid]], which culminated in the establishment of full diplomatic relations in October 1993. While relations with neighbouring Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania show occasional strains, Mozambique's ties to these countries remain strong.<ref name="BilateralRelationsFactSheet" />

In the years immediately following its independence, Mozambique benefited from considerable assistance from some Western countries, notably the Scandinavians. The Soviet Union and its allies became Mozambique's primary economic, military and political supporters, and its foreign policy reflected this linkage. This began to change in 1983; in 1984 Mozambique joined the [[World Bank]] and [[International Monetary Fund]]. Western aid by the Scandinavian countries of Sweden, [[Norway]], [[Denmark]] and [[Iceland]] quickly replaced Soviet support.<ref name="BilateralRelationsFactSheet" /> [[Finland]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20081223005117/http://www.tpk.fi/netcomm/news/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=71407&intSubArtID=28199 President Halonen: Development aid should be transparent and efficient]. Office of the President of the Republic of Finland. tpk.fi</ref> and the [[Netherlands]] are becoming increasingly important sources of development assistance. Italy also maintains a profile in Mozambique as a result of its key role during the peace process. Relations with Portugal, the former colonial power, continue to be important because Portuguese investors play a visible role in Mozambique's economy.<ref name="BilateralRelationsFactSheet" />

[[File:Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets members of Indian Community in Mozambique.jpg|thumb|Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] meets members of [[Indians in Mozambique|Indian community in Mozambique]], 7 July 2016.]]

Mozambique is a member of the [[Non-Aligned Movement]] and ranks among the moderate members of the African bloc in the United Nations and other international organisations. Mozambique also belongs to the [[African Union]] and the [[Southern African Development Community]]. In 1994, the government became a full member of the [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation|Organisation of the Islamic Conference]], in part to broaden its base of international support but also to please the country's sizeable Muslim population. Similarly, in 1995 Mozambique joined its Anglophone neighbours in the [[Commonwealth of Nations]]. At the time it was the only nation to have joined the Commonwealth that was never part of the [[British Empire]]. In the same year, Mozambique became a founding member and the first president of the [[Community of Portuguese Language Countries]] and maintains close ties with other Portuguese-speaking countries.<ref name="BilateralRelationsFactSheet" />