Lourenço do Rosário said previous peace agreements in Mozambique failed because they were overly politicized rather than focusing on fostering trust among citizens [1].
This critique comes as the country navigates an inclusive national dialogue. If the current process repeats the mistakes of the past, the nation risks a cycle of fragile peace that fails to address the root causes of conflict.
Speaking in Maputo, do Rosário said the failure of prior efforts stemmed from a lack of genuine reconciliation [1]. He said that when peace agreements are treated as political tools, they prioritize the interests of the elite over the needs of the broader population.
According to do Rosário, the focus of any national dialogue should be on building trust among Mozambicans [1]. He said that without this foundation, agreements remain superficial and susceptible to collapse when political winds shift.
The academic said the current inclusive national dialogue must avoid becoming another exercise in political maneuvering [1]. He said the objective should be a sustainable peace rooted in social cohesion, not merely a tactical truce between opposing political factions.
By highlighting the shortcomings of previous frameworks, do Rosário is urging a shift in strategy for the current proceedings in Maputo [1]. He said that the success of the current dialogue depends on whether the participants can move beyond their political identities to address the collective grievances of the people [1].
“"previous peace agreements failed because they were overly politicized rather than focusing on fostering trust among Mozambicans."”
The warnings from Lourenço do Rosário highlight a systemic tension in Mozambique's peace processes: the conflict between top-down political settlements and bottom-up social reconciliation. If the national dialogue remains a negotiation between political leaders, it may secure a temporary cessation of hostilities but will likely fail to create the long-term stability required for national development.
