Mozambique-Insurgency Against Portugal, 1963-1975CSC 1984SUBJECT AREA History ABSTRACTAuthor: Westfall, William C., Jr., Major, United States Marine CorpsTitle: Mozambique - Insurgency Against Portugal, 1963-1975Publisher: Marine Corps Command and Staff CollegeDate: 1 April 1984 The object of this study is to review the insurgent movementin Mozambique from the perspective of why it occured, how it wasconducted, and what caused the results. The study is dividedinto areas of historical background, colonial issues relevant tothe insurgency, organization of the insurgent movement, conductof the insurgency, and Portuguese counterinsurgent efforts. Mozambique is a strategically located, resource rich, Africannation which remains embroiled in turmoil despite almost a decadeof self-rule since achieving independence from Portugal. Theglobal importance of the Horn of Africa and the continuingstruggle between East and West to establish influence in thatcritical area necessitates a sound understanding of regionalissues and their international ramifications. The entiresituation is an open invitation for involvement of United Statesforces and is almost as predictable, in that regard, as was thePacific prior to World War II. Mozambique is of particularsignificance to the Marine officer because it offers over twelvehundred miles of coastline to an amphibious force and retainsseveral of the finest port facilities and natural harbors on theEast African littoral. The conclusions drawn in the final section of this studyattempt to define the reasons for the success of the insurgencyand the failure of the counterinsurgency. If United Statesforces are committed to action in Mozambique sometime in thefuture, then the lessons learned from this conflict will be veryapplicable. The enemy will probably be the same that defeatedthe Portuguese; and it would serve us well to understand theirthought process and mode of operation. WAR SINCE 1945 SEMINAR Mozambique - Insurgency Against Portugal 1963-1975 Major William C. Westfall, Jr., USMC 2 April 1984 Marine Corps Command and Staff College Marine Corps Development and Education Command Quantico, Virginia 22134 Table of ContentsExplanation 1Mozambique - A Background 4Mozambique - The Colonial Era 13Development of the Insurgency 26Frelimo - Purpose, Strategy, External Support and Unity 38Frelimo - Conduct of the Insurgency 67Portugal - Conduct of the Counterinsurgency 77Conclusions 87Bibliography 92