While alliances dating back to the Mozambican War of Independence remain relevant, Mozambique's foreign policy has become increasingly pragmatic. The twin pillars of the policy are maintenance of good relations with its neighbors and maintenance and expansion of ties to development partners.
History
During the 1970s and early 1980s, Mozambique's foreign policy was inextricably linked to the struggles for majority rule in Rhodesia and South Africa as well as superpower competition and the Cold War. Mozambique's decision to enforce United Nations sanctions against Rhodesia and support Rhodesian guerrillas led Ian Smith's regime to undertake overt and covert actions to destabilize the country. Although the change of government in Zimbabwe in 1980 removed this threat, the apartheid regime in South Africa continued to finance the destabilization of Mozambique.
The 1984 Nkomati Accord, while failing in its goal of ending South African support to RENAMO, opened initial diplomatic contacts between the Mozambican and South African governments. This process gained momentum with South Africa's elimination of apartheid, which culminated in the establishment of full diplomatic relations in October 1993. While relations with neighboring Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania show occasional strains, Mozambique's ties to these countries remain strong.
thumb|left|Embassy of Mozambique in [[Washington, D.C.]]
In the years immediately following its independence, Mozambique benefited from considerable assistance from some western countries, notably the Scandinavians. The Soviet Union and its allies, however, became Mozambique's primary economic, military, and political supporters and its foreign policy reflected this linkage. This began to change in 1983; in 1984 Mozambique joined the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Western aid quickly replaced Soviet support, with the Scandinavians, Finland, the United States, the Netherlands, and the European Union becoming increasingly important sources of development assistance. Italy also maintains a profile in Mozambique as a result of its key role during the peace process. Relations with Portugal, the former colonial power, are complex and of some importance as Portuguese investors play a visible role in Mozambique's economy.
Mozambique is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement and ranks among the moderate members of the African Bloc in the United Nations and other international organizations. Mozambique also belongs to the Organisation of African Unity/African Union and the Southern African Development Community. In 1994, the Government became a full member of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (now the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation), in part to broaden its base of international support but also to please the country's sizeable Muslim population. Similarly, in early 1996 Mozambique joined its Anglophone neighbors in the Commonwealth. In the same year, Mozambique became a founding member and the first President of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), and maintains close ties with other Lusophone states. The country is also a member of the Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA).
Illicit drugs:
Southern African transit point for South Asian hashish, South Asian heroin, and South American cocaine probably destined for the European and South African markets; producer of cannabis (for local consumption) and methaqualone (for export to South Africa); corruption and poor regulatory capability makes the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center.
Diplomatic relations
List of countries which Mozambique maintains diplomatic relations with:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="3" |frameless|425x425px
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!#
!Country
!Date
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|1
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|3
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|4
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|13
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|18
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|19
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|21
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|24
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|25
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|27
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|28
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|30
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|31
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|32
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|33
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|34
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|35
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|36
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|38
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|40
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|41
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|43
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|44
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|45
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|46
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|47
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|48
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|50
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|51
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|52
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|54
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|55
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|56
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|57
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|58
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|60
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|61
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|62
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|63
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|64
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|65
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|67
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|-
|—
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|68
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|70
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|74
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|75
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|76
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|77
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|78
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|79
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|80
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|81
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|82
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|84
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|86
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|87
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|89
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|90
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|91
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|92
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|93
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|94
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|102
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|103
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|105
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|107
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|108
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|109
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|111
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|112
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|116
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|117
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|118
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|122
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|135
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|137
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|138
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|139
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|140
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|141
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|144
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|147
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|148
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|149
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|150
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|152
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|154
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|156
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|158
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|159
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|160
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|161
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|163
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|165
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|166
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|167
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|Unknown
|}
Bilateral relations
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"
! width="15%" | Country
! width="12%" | Formal relations began
! width="50%" | Notes
|-- valign="top"
|||<!--Date started-->5 September 1978||See Angola–Mozambique relations
- Angola has an embassy in Maputo.
- Mozambique has an embassy in Luanda.
- Both nations were formerly part of the Portuguese Empire.
|-- valign="top"
|||15 November 1975||See Brazil–Mozambique relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 November 1975
- Brazil has an embassy in Maputo.
- Mozambique has an embassy in Brasília and a consulate in Belo Horizonte.
|-- valign="top"
|||25 June 1975||See Canada–Mozambique relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 June 1975
- Canada has a high commission in Maputo.
- Mozambique is accredited to Canada from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.
|-- valign="top"
|||25 June 1975||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 June 1975
See China–Mozambique relations
China-Mozambique relations date back to the 1960s, when China began to support the struggle of Mozambique's Marxist-oriented FRELIMO party against Portuguese colonialism. Diplomatic relations were formally established on 25 June 1975, soon after Mozambique gained its independence from Portugal. In November 2006, Mozambique became the thirteenth African country to be added to China's official list of tourism destinations. Hu Jintao, president of the People's Republic of China, made an official visit to Mozambique in February 2007, during which he and Armando Guebuza, the president of Mozambique, pledged further cooperation in the areas of economy, technology, agriculture, education and sports.
- China has an embassy in Maputo.
- Mozambique has an embassy in Beijing and a consulate-general in Macau.
|- valign="top"
|||27 August 1975||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 August 1975
- Cuba has an embassy in Maputo.
- Mozambique has an embassy in Havana.
|-- valign="top"
|||25 June 1975||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 June 1975
- Mozambique is represented in Finland through its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
- Finland has an embassy in Maputo.
|-- valign="top"
|||19 February 1976||See France–Mozambique relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 February 1976
- France has an embassy in Maputo.
- Mozambique has an embassy in Paris.
|-- valign="top"
|||3 February 1976||See Germany–Mozambique relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 February 1976
- Germany has an embassy in Maputo.
- Mozambique has an embassy in Berlin.
|-- valign="top"
|||25 June 1975||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 June 1975
- Mozambique maintains a High Commission in New Delhi.
|-- valign="top"
|||January 1977||See Japan–Mozambique relations
- Japan has an embassy in Maputo
- Mozambique has an embassy in Tokyo
|- valign="top"
|||5 November 1976||See Kenya–Mozambique relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 November 1976 when Ambassador of Kenya Hon. Kiyinda Nincola, has presented his credentials to President of Mozambique Samora Moises Machel.
- Malawi has a high commission in Maputo.
- Mozambique has a high commission in Lilongwe.
|-- valign="top"
|||26 February 1988||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 February 1988
See Mexico–Mozambique relations
- Mexico is accredited to Mozambique from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
- Mozambique is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.
|-- valign="top"
|||25 June 1975||See Mozambique–Portugal relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 June 1975
Both nations are members of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries.
- Mozambique has an embassy in Lisbon and a consulate-general in Porto.
- Portugal has an embassy in Maputo and a consulate-general in Beira.
- Portuguese companies are the second largest private investor in Mozambique.
- In July 2008, Mozambique and Portugal have signed an agreement to set up a fund to support investments worth US$124 million in the Mozambican energy sector.
- In July 2008, Portugal cancelled Mozambique's remaining debts to Portugal, estimated at US$393.4 million, accumulated from independence until 2005.
|-- valign="top"
|||25 June 1975||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 June 1975
- Mozambique has an embassy in Moscow.
- Russia has an embassy in Maputo.
|- valign="top"
|||1981||
- Mozambique is accredited to São Tomé and Príncipe from its embassy in Luanda, Angola and maintains an honorary consulate in São Tomé.
- São Tomé and Príncipe is accredited to Mozambique from its embassy in Luanda, Angola and maintains an honorary consulate in Maputo.
|- valign="top"
|||26 September 1993||See Mozambique–South Africa relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 September 1993
- Mozambique has a high commission in Pretoria and a consulate-general in Johannesburg and consulates in Cape Town, Durban and Mbombela.
- South Africa has a high commission in Maputo.
|-- valign="top"
|||11 August 1993||
Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Korea and Mozambique on 11 August 1993 There were 78 South Koreans living in Mozambique in 2012.
|- valign="top"
|||27 May 1977||See Mozambique–Spain relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 May 1977
- Mozambique has an embassy in Madrid.
- Spain has an embassy in Maputo.
|- valign="top"
|||25 June 1975||See Mozambique–Tanzania relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 June 1975
- Mozambique is accredited to Turkey from its embassy in Rome, Italy.
- Turkey has an embassy in Maputo.
- The United Kingdom is accredited to Mozambique through its high commission in Maputo.
Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth, the United Nations, and the World Trade Organization, as well as the Southern Africa Customs Union and Mozambique–UK Economic Partnership Agreement. Bilaterally the two countries have a Development Partnership, a High Level Prosperity Partnership, and an Investment Agreement.
|- valign="top"
|||23 September 1975||See Mozambique–United States relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 September 1975
Relations between the United States and Mozambique are good and steadily improving. By 1993, U.S. aid to Mozambique was prominent, due in part to significant emergency food assistance in the wake of the 1991-93 southern African drought, but more importantly in support of the peace and reconciliation process. During the process leading up to elections in October 1994, the United States served as a significant financier and member of the most important commissions established to monitor implementation of the Rome General Peace Accords. The United States is the largest bilateral donor to the country and plays a leading role in donor efforts to assist Mozambique.
- Mozambique has an embassy in Washington, D.C.
- United States has an embassy in Maputo.
|}
See also
- List of diplomatic missions of Mozambique
- List of diplomatic missions in Mozambique