In 1992, President Chissano helped to end Mozambique's 16-year civil war and reconcile a divided nation, working tirelessly to negotiate peace with the RENAMO (Resistência Nacional Moçambicana) rebel group. To cement the reconciliation President Chissano offered 15 000 places in Mozambique's 30 000-strong army to former opposition RENAMO soldiers.
President Chissano implemented a deliberate shift from Marxist-Leninist ideology to multiparty democracy and a mixed economy. He successfully negotiated a reduction in Mozambique's debt repayments and oversaw reforms that have led to sustained economic growth. During his time in office, Mozambique began the journey of reconstruction and development, with improvements in healthcare, increased access to education and greater empowerment of women.
Between 2003 and 2004, President Chissano served as Chair of the African Union. During his presidency he was a powerful advocate for Africa on the international stage, particularly in promoting the debt relief agenda.
Joaquim Alberto Chissano
Current Work
On 4 December 2006, the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed President Chissano the Special Envoy to Areas Affected by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), in an effort to bring about a comprehensive political solution to the ongoing conflict with the LRA in Uganda.
He is currently Chair of the Forum of Former African Heads of State and Government (Africa Forum), an informal network of former African Heads of State and Government and other African leaders designed to support the implementation of the broad objectives of the African Union (AU) and its initiative, the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), at national, sub-regional and regional levels.
He is also a member of the Club of Madrid, an independent organisation that aims to promote democracy and change in the world; The Hunger Project (Board of Directors), a non-profit organisation that seeks to end global hunger by empowering people; and the Nelson Mandela Institution (for Science and Technology), dedicated to bringing excellence in science and engineering to sub-Saharan Africa.
Since his retirement, President Chissano has also created the Joaquim Chissano Foundation which aims to combat poverty, hunger and conflict in Africa.
Awards
He has received the highest awards from many countries, namely Mozambique, Angola, Portugal, South Africa, Brazil, Cape Verde, Nicaragua, France, Bulgaria, Madagascar, Cuba, Benin, Romania, Uganda, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, and Lesotho.
He has received several prizes and awards including the Hunger Project Prize, the Together for Peace Award and the Kellog Foundation Award.
Joaquim Alberto Chissano
Prize Ceremony
On 8 November 2007, the prize ceremony to confer the 2007 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership was held in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria, Egypt.
The ceremony was a major celebration of African achievement and culture with an hour long ceremony followed by a concert with some of Africa's greatest musicians.
The ceremony featured the participation of a number of eminent Africans, including Kofi Annan and a special performance by Youssou N'Dour. Following the ceremony there was a concert that featured performances from Salif Keita, Angelique Kidjo, Youssou N'Dour and Egyptian superstar Mohamed Mounir.
The event was attended by dignitaries from across Africa and the rest of the world.
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About Mozambique
Capital: Maputo
Population: 19.4m
Area: 812,379 sq km
Major Languages: Portuguese (official), Makua-Lomwe, Tsonga, Shona, Swahili
Major Religions: Indigenous beliefs, Islam, Christianity
Life Expectancy: 41yrs (men) 43yrs (women)
Monetary Unit: 1 metical (plural meticais) = 100 centavos
Main exports: Seafood, Cotton
GNI per capita: US $310 (World Bank, 2006)
Head of State: President Armando Guebuza
Major political parties: Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO); Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO); numerous small parties.
Membership of international groupings/organisations: The Commonwealth; African Union (AU); Southern African Development Community (SADC); the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC); the Non-Aligned Movement; the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP); the Organisation of Portuguese-speaking African Countries (PALOP); and the Indian Ocean Rim-Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)
Key Economic Data
Annual economic (GDP) growth rate (2006): 8.5 %
GDP (2006): $7.7 billion
Per capita gross domestic product (2006): $350
Natural resources: Hydroelectric power, coal, natural gas, titanium ore, tantalite, graphite, iron ore, semi-precious stones, and arable land Agriculture (21.7% of GDP); Industry (29% of GDP); Services (49.3% of GDP)
Trade Imports fob (2006): $2.88 billion; Exports (2006)--$2.39 billion. Export commodities--aluminium, cashews, prawns, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber, bulk electricity, natural gas. Main markets: Belgium, South Africa, Zimbabwe.
View details about Mozambique's performance in the 2009 Ibrahim Index
