Cementing democracy: Institution-building in Mozambique

In: South African journal of international affairs, Band 3, Heft 2, S. 1-12

Abstract

The success of the United Nations peacekeeping operation in Mozambique in establishing the conditions for the rebuilding of a country devastated by 16 years of civil war is assessed. Difficulties were encountered in both the military and electoral phases of the operation. But these were overcome and the UN's Special Representative, Aldo Ajello, had good cause for satisfaction on the completion of his mission in December 1994. However, in the longer term, weaknesses of key components of democracy in Mozambique, such as the effectiveness of the legislature and of the judicial system and the independence of the media, mean that the future of democracy is far from being assured. (SAJIA/DÜI)