A sound constitution and a system of proportional representation have resulted in a measure of political representation, which is positive for a post-conflict situation. However, the relationship between Renamo and the ruling Frelimo party remains an uneasy one.
Mozambique is popular with institutional and bilateral donors and has made significant strides in economic development and post-war reconstruction after the Rome Peace Accord of 1992, averaging a GDP of 9% for a number of years. However, Mozambique is still one of the poorest countries of the world and the economic growth has not yet begun to be felt by the majority of her people.
The gains of post-war economic growth are highly skewed, with limited economic development taking place in rural areas, particularly in the northern and central provinces. As a result, dire poverty is common beyond the industrial hubs of Maputo, Xai Xai, Inhambane, Nampula and Beira.
Mozambique's vulnerability is evident in policy formulation that has been influenced by the World Bank's cost recovery policies in the health sector, and tariff pegging for the cashew nut industry having near-disastrous effects.
HIV/AIDS is a major challenge and the government is dealing with it inconsistently.
Civil rights are theoretically upheld, but a combination of police ineptitude, corruption, poor human rights training, and the lack of recourse to justice for poor people result in gross abuses of rights on a daily basis. A theoretically independent judiciary is severely constrained by poorly trained personnel and limited resources.
Infrastructure destruction caused by severe floods in recent years has significantly hampered development efforts by both governmental and non-governmental agencies.
Work of NGOs is further affected because they have minimal resources but with surmountable needs. The lack of English language competence also makes it difficult for civil society organisations to participate effectively in regional networking activities.
Although donor voices on the issue are muted, cases of official corruption are a major public concern, as they appear to be on the increase, evident through the revelations of the Cardoso trial.
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