The following is a timeline of events during the Mozambican Civil War as well as subsequent RENAMO insurgency (2013–2021).
1976 edit
October edit
- André Matsangaissa, ex-FRELIMO fighters crossed his way into Rhodesia with intention to create armed group.[1]
- Late 1976: First RENAMO base was established in Udzi town in Rhodesia near border with Mozambique.[1]
1978 edit
October edit
- RENAMO seized Macossa town near the boundary between Manica and Sofala Provinces.[2]
1979 edit
July edit
- RENAMO overran the town of Machaze.[2]
August edit
- 21–2 August: 300 RENAMO fighters led by André left Gadzi to establish permanent base in Mozambique.[2]
September edit
- 5 September: RENAMO established their base in Gorongossa region.[2]
October edit
- Early October: 300 RENAMO fighters left Odzi to establish new base in Manica province.[1] Once they arrived they divided into three groups. One, led by João Fombe, set up a base in the Mabate region, south of the Mussapa river. Second led by Vareia Manje, was deployed in Mucuti, north of Musspara river. Third group led by Magurende John established their base in Chinete.[2]
- 17 October: André Matsangaissa was killed during failed attack on Gorongossa town.[2]
November edit
- 300 RENAMO fighters led by Lucas Muhlanga left Gadzi to establish their base at the top of Sitatonga mountain. From there 200 rebel continued with 100 fighters arriving at Chidoco and another 100 establishing their base in Muxungue.[2]
1980 edit
January edit
- Government forces destroyed RENAMO headquarters at Gorongosa mountain during the Gorongosa Offensive.[2]
April edit
- RENAMO forces moved its headquarters to the Sitatonga mountain in the south.[2]
June edit
- Armed forces launched Operation Leopard from multiple directions to expel rebels from Sitatonga. By late June they reached the foot of the mountain.[1]
July edit
1981 edit
July edit
- 4 July: 300 RENAMO fighters led by Vareia Manje left Chicarre base to open new front in Inhambane province. He established new base in Chichôlane swamps.[2]
September edit
- 4 September: Government forces recaptured Machaze.[4]
October edit
- 29 October: Railway and road bridges over the Pungwe River were blown up by RENAMO fighters.[5]
- RENAMO fighters led by Calisto Meque and Magurende John left Chicarre towards Jambe. From there they split up with one group of fighters going to Gorongossa and other led by Meque going further north.[2]
November edit
- RENAMO fighters led by Mário Franque left Chicarre to link up with forces in Chichôlane area. It eventually established their camp in Banhine National Park in Gaza province.[2]
December edit
- 4 December: Government forces launched offensvive on RENAMO base in Chicarre.[2]
- 8 December: Government forces took control of Chicarre killing six rebels.[2]
- 10 December: RENAMO fighters who left Jambe crossed the Beirra corridor on their way to Gorongossa.[2]
- 12 December: RENAMO fighters led by Meque attacked the town of Mungári.[2]
- 300 RENAMO fighters led by Dhlakama arrived in Gorongossa region. They established their new headquarters in Casa Banana.[1]
1982 edit
August edit
- RENAMO fighters led by Meque entered the Tete province after crossing Zambezi river west of Tambara.[2]
- 11 August: 485 RENAMO fighters led by Abel Tsequete left Sadjunjira for Vila Fontes. After crossing the river they entered Zambezi province. RENAMO's central base in Zambezia was established in Mount Nampuli, former PRM base.[2]
- 16 August: RENAMO captured Megaza, Pinda, Derre, Muandiua, Mepinha, Guerissa and Chire villages in Morrumbala district effectively isolating district capital.[6] Government forces eventually recaptured Derre in late 1982 and Chire, Megaza and Pinda in 1983.[7]
- Government forces launched Operation Cabana against rebels. 10,000 men supported by armored vehicles and heavy artillery attacked rebel positions in Gaza province.[1]
- RENAMO seized Macossa.[2]
September edit
- In southern Manica province government launched their phase of Operation Cabana pushing south towards Save river.[1]
- Around 100 fighters were parachuted from South Africa to Toma base in Inhambane.[2]
December edit
- Zimbabwean forces launched Operation Lifeline with 1,500–2,000 soldiers deploying along the Beira corridor.[1]
1983 edit
April edit
- 346 RENAMO fighters led by Ossufo Momade entered Nampula province. They established a base near Metaveia on the north bank of the Ligonha River.[2]
May edit
- Renamo claimed to have overrun army barracks at Chigubo.[2]
September edit
1984 edit
January edit
- Late January: 60 RENAMO fighters led by Pedro Muchanga crossed the Incomáti River setting up bases near the Maputo.[2]
May edit
- RENAMO fighters led by Rocha Paulino entered the Cabo Delgado province and established their base in Muikho area. In 1985 they moved to Namecala town.[2]
August edit
- Government forces overran RENAMO base at Tome.[8]
December edit
- RENAMO established bases in Ponta d’Ouro, Bela Vista and Salamanga near the capital.[2]
1985 edit
August edit
- 6 August: RENAMO took control of Mopeia.[9]
- 20 August: RENAMO took control of Morrumbala.[9]
- 20–4: Armed forces destroyed RENAMO base at Muxamba.[10]
- 23 August: Government forces captured RENAMO base in Maringué.[10]
- 28 August: Government forces captured RENAMO headquarters at Casa Banana in Gorongossa.[1] They also attacked nearby RENAMO bases in Fábrica, Cavalo and Bunga.[2]
September edit
- Late September: Government forces captured large RENAMO base in Xichocoxa in southern Inhambane Province.[1]
December edit
1986 edit
January edit
- 9 January: RENAMO took control of Marromeu.[10]
- 27 January: Government forces recaptured Marromeu.[10]
February edit
- 14 February: Around 400 RENAMO fighters overran government positions at Casa Banana.[1]
- RENAMO took control of Namacurra town. They occupied it for three days.[9]
March edit
- Guerrillas infiltrated the Matola area on the outskirts of the capital and clashed with government forces and the police.[1]
April edit
- 12 April: Government forces recaptured Casa Banana.[10]
- 14–5 April: Government forces recaptured Cavalo.[10]
July edit
- 17–21 July: RENAMO claimed to have captured five town: Gurue, Maganja da Costa and Lion in Zambezia and Malea and Mutuali in Nampula province.[11]
- 23 July: Government forces claimed to clear Machanga district from rebels.[12]
September edit
- 15 September: Government forces destroyed rebel base at Chitende in Nampula province.[13]
- 23 September: RENAMO took control of Mutarara district forcing 1,000 soldiers to flee into Malawi.[14]
- 25 September: RENAMO launches big offensive, capturing Caia, Gile, Nametil.[8]
- 26 September: RENAMO took control of Milange.[9]
- 29 September: RENAMO took control of Alto Molocue, Licuari in Zambezia province[15] and Milange.[16]
- RENAMO took control of Inhaminga, Marromeu and Chuabo.[2]
October edit
- 6 October: RENAMO took control of Zumbo.[17]
- 16 October: RENAMO took control of Villa Machado village.[18]
- RENAMO took control of Derre in Murrumbala district. They also captured Megaza and Pinda.[7]
- RENAMO occupied Namarroi for three days.[9]
November edit
- 8 November: RENAMO took control of Ulongue kidnapping five foreigners.[8]
December edit
- 29 December: RENAMO took control of Namarroi.[9]
1987 edit
January edit
- 4 January: RENAMO claimed to have captured Semacueza town near Beira.[19]
- RENAMO overran army garrison at Meluco in Cabo Delgado.[8]
February edit
- 10 February: Government forces recaptured Ceta.[20]
- Government forces recaptured Mutarara bridge,[21] Sena, Mutara, Vila Nova and Bave.[20]
March edit
- 7 March: Government forces recaptured Mopeia.[9]
- 9 March: Government forces took control of Luabo in Zambezia province.[8]
April edit
- Government forces recaptured Maringue, Muanza, Cheringoma and Marromeu in last few weeks.[22]
- 28 April: Government forces recaptured Morrumbala district.[9]
- 29 April: Government forces took control of Alfazema base in Morrumbaia district.[23]
June edit
- RENAMo took control of Nhanala in Gaza.[24]
August edit
- RENAMO launched Lightning Offensive attacking government positions to the north and west of the capital. Important rail and road crossroads were raided, with some of them being leveled, including Manjacaza in southern Gaza in early August.[1]
October edit
- 10 October: Government forces launched a three-week offensive in the south capturing several bases including Morrumane.[8]
- 16 October: RENAMO kill 53 civilians at Taninga in Maputo Province during the First Taninga Massacre.[25]
- 28 October: RENAMO kill 278 civilians at Taninga in Maputo Province during the Second Taninga Massacre.[26]
November edit
- 25 November: Government forces destroyed RENAMO base in Matsequentra near the border with South Africa.[8]
- 28 November: RENAMO kill 71 civilians and injure another 78 at Maluana in Maputo Province during the Maluana Massacre.[10]
December edit
1988 edit
- RENAMO took control of Mugulama.[27]
January edit
- RENAMO destroyed the town of Namacata, on the outskirts of Quelimane, the provincial capital, before retreating.[1]
February edit
- mid-February: RENAMO raided Bella Vista town on the Maputo River.[1]
- 27–8 February: RENAMO took control of Marrapula.[8]
March edit
- Late March: Government forces destroyed tree RENAMO bases at Chiconjo, Maginge and Nhahombe reportedly killing 260 rebels.[8]
June edit
- 2 June: Government forces recaptured Milange[8] and Derre, however they withdrew from Derre after a month.[7]
- 1–14 June: Government forces destroyed RENAMO bases in Cachane, Malengane, Macandane, Marracuene, and Matongomane. 24 rebels were captured.[28]
July edit
- 10 July: Government recaptured Gile.[8]
- Over the past three months government forces recaptured Fingoe, Tsangano, Zobue, Cazula, Domue and Calomue. They also destroyed rebel bases in Matenje (Macanga district) and Chintola (Zumbo district).[29] They also recaptured Zangue, Chiuta, Singue and Sangano.[30]
August edit
- 17 August: RENAMO took control of Lugela.[9]
September edit
- 21 September: Armed forces destroyed rebel base in Nhinjele in Inharrime district killing two rebels.[31]
October edit
- RENAMO took control of Inhaminga.[8]
November edit
December edit
1989 edit
January edit
- 7 January: RENAMO took control of Alto Molócuè and Machanga.[33]
- RENAMO took control of Makiwa (Mocuba district), and Chire (Morrumbala district).[34]
February edit
June edit
- 27 June: RENAMO occupied Mopeia district.[6]
July edit
- Government forces overran a major insurgent base in the strategic Alto Ligohna area of Gile District freeing around 1,000 civilians.[1]
- 6 July: Government forces recaptured Mopeia.[6]
August edit
- 5 August: Government forces destroyed RENAMO bases in Yumbisa, Majune, Mbambe and Chilotoxe in Niassa province killing 75 rebels.[35]
- 15 August: Government forces recaptured Tambara district in Manica province.[36]
November edit
- 15 November: RENAMO occupied Mopeia district.[6]
- 20 November: Government forces recaptured Mopeia.[6]
December edit
1990 edit
January edit
- 20 January: Government forces again captured Mugulama.[37]
March edit
- Naprama movement went on offensive against RENAMO in Alto Molocue district,[38] in Nauela area. The offensive continued until May.[37]
April edit
- 22 April: Armed forces recaptured Chigubo, last RENAMO-held district capital.[8]
- Late April: Armed forces destroyed rebel base in Tulo, near lake Niassa and another one in the district of Barue. In Machaze district they overran rebel camp at Muengi freeing several dozen people.[39]
May edit
- Early May: Government forces captured Umbuane locality. It was a rebel base for over a year.[39]
- 14 May: Government forces took control of Ngungwe base.[40]
- 15 May: Government forces destroyed rebel base in Chawene on the northern Inhambane coast.[39]
June edit
- 11 June: Government forces recapaptured Socone administrative post in Zambezia. It was under rebel control for three years.[41]
- Mid-Juny: Naparama took control of Maciwa base in central Zambezia.[37]
July edit
- Naparama militia led by Manuel Antonio took control of Murrua.[37]
August edit
- 31 August: Naparama took control of Muasiwa near Mugulama.[27]
- Naparama militia took control of Mulevala.[37]
October edit
- Government forces from Nicoadala district recaptured Derre town.[7]
1991 edit
March edit
- Government forces recaptured Namanjavira in Mocuba dlstrict.[42]
- 28 March: Government forces captured RENAMO base at Gorondene in Inhambane region.[42]
- 30 March: Government forces destroyed rebel base in Senga-Senga in Sofala province.[42]
April edit
- 18 April: Government forces captured RENAMO base at Nhamagodoa, in Maringue district, killing 16 rebels.[43]
- RENAMO took control of Mecumburi, Nampuli.[10]
May edit
- 13 May: Government forces repelled attack on Morrumbala killing five rebels.[43]
- 21 May: Government forces repelled rebel attack on Cavalo base killing four of them.[43]
June edit
- 29 June: RENAMO took control of Lalaua.[8]
July edit
- Joint Mozambican-Zimbabwe forces destroyed RENAMO base in Maringue area in Sofala province. In total military claimed to have killed 593 rebels in July.[44]
August edit
September edit
- 19 September: RENAMO again captured Lalaua.[45]
December edit
1992 edit
January edit
- 16 January: Armed forces took control of RENAMo base in Ngungwe near border with South Africa. Rebels allegedly used chemical weapons against soldiers.[47]
- 23 January: RENAMO took control of Imala.[48]
April edit
- RENAMO rebels attacked suburbs in Beira, Xai-Xai, Nampula and Maputo cities.[49]
- 24 April: Government forces recaptured Imala.[48]
June edit
- 7 June: Rebels from Nalazi and Dindiza bases attacked Chibuto town. Attack was repelled.[50]
- Late June: Government banned Naparama.[37]
October edit
- 17 October: RENAMO took control of Maganja da Costa.[51]
- 18 October: RENAMO took control of Angoche, klling 40 government soldiers.[51]
- 19 October: RENAMO took control of Memba in Nampula province.[51]
- 21 October: RENAMO took control of Lugela.[52]
- 22 October: government forces recaptured Angoche.[53]
- 27 October: Government forces recaptured Memba.[54]
November edit
- 24 November: Government forces recaptured Lugela.[8]
1994 edit
April edit
- 15 April: 38 RENAMO fighters were demobilised in Neves.[55]
2016 edit
September edit
- 12 September: Government forces dismantled RENAMO base in Sabe in Marrupala district.[56]
October edit
- 14 October: Government forces dismantled RENAMO base in the village of Napuco, Murrupula district.[57]
2019 edit
August edit
- 1 August: President Filipe Nyusi and RENAMO leader Ossufo Momade signed a peace agreement at RENAMO's remote military base in the Gorongosa mountains which brought an end to hostilities.[58]
September edit
- 6 September: Government forces attacked RENAMO Military Junta base in Chipindaumwe, Gondola district.[59]
2020 edit
June edit
- 13 June: 60 RENAMO fighters from Donda district laid down their weapons in Savana.[60]
July edit
- 15 July: RENAMO base at Muxungue, in the central Mozambican province of Sofala was closed with 251 fighters disarmed.[61]
August edit
- 20 August: Disarmenment process started at Mount Gorongossa covering RENAMO leadership.[62]
September edit
- 5 September: 140 fighters were disarmed at Mangueiras base, near Gorongossa.[63]
October edit
- 14 October: RENAMO base in Cheringoma district was closed with 173 fighters laying down their weapons.[64]
- 25 October: During last two weeks RENAMO bases in Inhaminga, Chemba, and Maringue were closed with 336 fighters laying down their weapons.[65]
November edit
- 30 November: Last RENAMO base in Inhambane province at Ribye, on the boundary between Funhalouro and Mabote districts was dismantled with 170 fighters laying down their weapons.[66]
2021 edit
March edit
- 30 March: RENAMO demobilisation was completed in Manica province with 817 fighters laying down their weapons. Bases in Tambara, Barue and Mossurize districts were closed.[67]
June edit
- 30 June: RENAMO base at Monjo, Moatize district was dismantled and fighters laid down their weapons.[68]
July edit
- 11 July: RENAMO base in Zobué, Tete province as closed with 360 fighters joining disarmament.[69]
October edit
- 11 October: RMJ leader was shot dead in a firefight with Mozambican security forces in Cheringoma District. According to Bernadino Rafael, General Commander of the Mozambican police force, Nhongo's force had attacked a patrol in the bush at Njovo. He died alongside one of his main lieutenants, Wulawucama.[70]
December edit
- 1 December: Last remnant group of the RMJ -counting 24 militants- had joined the "Demobilisation, Disarmament and Reintegration" (DDR) programme. The group had laid down its weapons at Murrupula, Nampula Province.[71]
- 11 December: RENAMO base in Murrupla district was closed with 560 fighters demobilised.[72]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Emerson, Stephen (2019). Mozambican Civil War: Marxist-Apartheid Proxy, 1977-1992. Pen & Sword Military. ISBN 978-1526728494.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac Cabrita, João (2000). Mozambique : The Tortuous Road to Democracy. Palgrave Macmillan UK. ISBN 0333920015.
- ^ The Conflict with Renamo, 1976-1992 «July-September 1980»
- ^ The Conflict with Renamo, 1976-1992 «September 1981»
- ^ Zimbabwe worries about RENAMO war threats, 22 December 2012
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j La Zambézie et les mouvements anti-Frelimo
- ^ a b c d e The socio-economic impact of war and flight in Posto Derre, Morrumbala District, Zambezia
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Andor, L.E. (1999). Southern African Political History: A Chronology of Key Political Events from Independence to Mid-1997. Greenwood Publishing. ISBN 0313302472.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Jentzsch, Corinna (13 January 2022). Violent Resistance: Militia Formation and Civil War in Mozambique. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1108837453.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j David Alexander Robinson: Curse on the Land: A History of the Mozambican Civil War
- ^ RENAMO claims capture of five Mozambican towns
- ^ MNR driven from central Sofala district: Zambezia operations
- ^ Mozambican government military claims
- ^ RENAMO controls biggest area yet
- ^ Mozambican rebels claim captured of towns
- ^ Death and destruction in Milange
- ^ Town is deserted after MNR attack
- ^ Mozambique: In Brief
- ^ Mozambique: RENAMO military claim
- ^ a b Forces recaptured five towns
- ^ Tide turns against MNR
- ^ Sofala districts recaptured
- ^ MNR base captured
- ^ a b MNR Gaza base captured
- ^ "Survivor Relives MNR Massacre" (PDF).
- ^ Emerson, Stephen (2014). The Battle for Mozambique: The Frelimo–Renamo Struggle, 1977–1992. Helion and Company. ISBN 9781909384927.
- ^ a b MOZAMBICAN FOES USE PEASANTS AS PAWNS, 9 October 1990
- ^ Army Demolishes 6 MNR bases in Maputo province
- ^ Bandits killed in Tete
- ^ Armed forces report successes in Tete province
- ^ Inhambane rebels camp destroyed
- ^ Spiritual Power & the Dynamics of War in the Provinces of Nampula & Zambezia
- ^ RENAMO captures Alto Molocue, Machanga
- ^ Nouvelle offensive rebelle
- ^ Mozambique: government forces kill 75 "armed bandits"
- ^ Mozambique: Government forces recapture MRN-held district
- ^ a b c d e f g h CONSPICUOUS DESTRUCTION: War, Famine and the Reform Process in Mozambique
- ^ Stephen A. Emerson: The Battle for Mozambique: The Frelimo Renamo Struggle, 1977 1992
- ^ a b c Destabilisation calendar, June 1990
- ^ Bandit base seized
- ^ Mozambique: government forces recover post in Zambezia
- ^ a b c Destabilisation calendar, April 1991
- ^ a b c Destabilisation calendar, June 1991
- ^ Mozambique: armed forces claim 593 rebels killed in July
- ^ a b Renamo takes key town
- ^ Rebels attack key aid project
- ^ Chemical attack' in battle near to SA border
- ^ a b Town retaken from MNR
- ^ The Conflict with Renamo, 1976-1992 «April 1992»
- ^ FAM frustram tentativa de tomar cidade de Chibuto
- ^ a b c RENAMO steps up fresh offensive
- ^ Lugela ocupada, 21 October 1992 (accessible in: [1])
- ^ Exercito governamental retoma cidade de Angoche, available at
- ^ Fierce fighting in Mozambique
- ^ Demobilization: General Peace Agreement for Mozambique
- ^ Mozambique Defence Forces overrun Renamo Zambezia base, 12 September 2016
- ^ Watch: FDS deactivate Renamo base in Nampula province, Mozambique, 17 October 2016
- ^ "Mozambique president, Renamo leader sign peace deal".
- ^ Just in: Attack on Renamo ‘Military Junta’ base in Central Mozambique – Nhongo, 6 September 2019
- ^ Mozambique: 60 former Renamo fighters demobilised in Sofala – AIM report, 18 June 2020
- ^ Mozambique: Renamo Base At Muxungue Closed, 16 July 2020
- ^ Demobilisation of the Renamo General Staff in Gorongosa mountains has begun – Carta, 24 August 2020
- ^ Mais de 100 guerrilheiras da Renamo desmobilizadas na Gorongosa, 5 September 2020
- ^ Mozambique: Hundreds More Renamo Guerrillas Being Demobilised, 13 October 2020
- ^ Declaração do Enviado Pessoal do Secretário-Geral das Nações Unidas para Moçambique e Presidente do Grupo de Contacto, 25 October 2020
- ^ Mozambique: Demobilisation begins at Renamo Inhambane base, 2 December 2020
- ^ Mozambique: Renamo demobilisation complete in Manica, 30 March 2021
- ^ Mozambique: Renamo guerrillas hand over their weapons in Tete – Noticias, 1 July 2021
- ^ Encerrada mais uma base da RENAMO na Província de Tete, 12 July 2021
- ^ "Mozambique: Mariano Nhongo shot dead in Sofala – AIM report". Club of Mozambique. 12 October 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ Mozambique: End of Renamo Military Junta”, says UN envoy – AIM, 3 December 2021
- ^ Encerrada primeira base militar da Renamo na região norte do país, 12 December 2021