Improving Switzerland’s Image: Relations with Independent Mozambique

Author(s) : Sabina Widmer

Source : https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004469617_011

“When Mozambique became independent in June 1975, Swiss–Mozambican relations were tense. Confidently looking forward to a bright future, FRELIMO’s leadership criticised Switzerland’s selective interpretation of neutrality during the independence wars and its cordial relations with the white minority regimes in South Africa and Rhodesia. The new government nationalised Swiss assets in Mozambique and numerous Swiss business people and missionaries left the country, together with many Portuguese and foreign citizens. Four years later, the situation had changed. Natural disasters, the departure of skilled workers, the loss of remittances from Mozambican mine workers in South Africa due to a change in the Rand mines’ recruitment policies, and the ruling party’s moves towards a planned economy drastically reduced Mozambique’s economic output.”