The Conflict Transformation in Mozambique

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to get a better understanding of the conflict transformation in Mozambique. It has a dual focus: the peace process after the 16 years’ war, and the resumed violent conflict, to understand both the constructive and destructive change of the conflict. A field study including interviews with 23 informants was conducted in Maputo between March and June 2019. The study was guided by conflict transformation theory and employed a case-oriented comparative analysis. The results show that the constructive and destructive change of the conflict in Mozambique were influenced by the context transformation; structure transformation; actor transformation; issue transformation; and personal transformation. Some transformations were more substantial than others, but altogether the combination of and interaction between the factors formed the conflict transformation in Mozambique. Factors which have significantly influenced the conflict are: the asymmetric relationship; the elite bargaining; the intra-party dynamics; the external support; the distrust; and the profile of the leaders of the two parties.