https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230925/firm-in-defense-and-security-mozambique-celebrates-armed-forces-day-1062337449.html
Firm in Defense and Security: Mozambique Celebrates Armed Forces Day
Firm in Defense and Security: Mozambique Celebrates Armed Forces Day
Sputnik Africa
On September 25, Mozambique observes Armed Forces Day. Also known as Revolution Day, the holiday commemorates the day when Mozambique's War of Independence, an... 25.09.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-09-25T17:36+0200
2023-09-25T17:36+0200
2023-09-26T09:00+0200
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As Mozambique marks the 59th anniversary of the beginning of its armed struggle for liberation from colonial rule, Sputnik Africa takes a look at the history of the holiday and how people across the country celebrate and honor the nation's armed forces.History of Armed Forces DayIn the early 16th century, Portugal began colonizing Mozambique. At first, all the bases established by the Portuguese were intended to develop trade with India, but in 1752, these territories were officially declared the Portuguese colony, known as Portuguese East Africa or Portuguese Mozambique.In the 20th century, after the Second World War, other European countries that had colonies in Africa and America began to grant them independence, but Portugal did not follow this path. All its possessions were declared "overseas territories", which provoked the growth of the influence of national liberation movements.In 1962, a group of activists formed the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) to fight for independence from Portugal. In 1964, FRELIMO abandoned its attempts at peaceful negotiations, and on September 25, the liberation movement launched its first offensive against the colonial authorities, which sparked the Mozambican War of Independence.This struggle continued throughout the 60s and 70s, and after a decade FRELIMO managed to take control of about a third of the country's territory. The fighting ended on September 8, 1974, when a truce came into force following the signing of the Lusaka Accord.Neither side achieved decisive military success, but the new Portuguese political leadership, which had come to power as a result of the Carnation Revolution, was forced to reach an agreement with FRELIMO due to the unpopularity of the colonial war in society and the army, as well as the high financial costs of its implementation. In June 1975, Mozambique gained independence from Portugal. The anniversary of the beginning of the country's liberation struggle was designated as Revolution Day to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives for Mozambique's sovereignty and to recognize the contribution of the armed forces to the stability and security of the country.Armed Forces Day CelebrationsArmed Forces Day in Mozambique is a holiday celebrated to honor all paramilitary structures. On this day, people pay tribute and show gratitude to all branches of the armed forces for their tremendous work and dedication to their country.The holiday is widely celebrated throughout the country. It is marked with parades, festivals, singing and dance performances, sports and other festive events and activities. For those citizens who are religious, it's also a day that is observed with special church services held across the nation.Ahead of this year's celebrations, President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi arrived in Tete, west-central Mozambique, for a two-day working visit, during which he presided over the central ceremony of Armed Forces Day and the commemoration of the 59th anniversary of the start of the War of Independence.On September 24, Nyusi held a meeting with members of the Mozambique Defense Armed Forces. On this occasion, the Mozambican leader urged all defense and security forces to fulfill their constitutional mandate, which is to guarantee the security and sovereignty of the country, always guided by national and international laws.On the next day, the president laid a wreath at the large Square of Mozambican Heroes (Praca dos Herois Mocambicanos), which is notable for its 95-meter-long mural commemorating Mozambique's liberation struggle and national heroes.For his part, the Minister of National Defense, Cristovao Artur Chume, congratulated the country's military personnel and called on them to celebrate without being distracted from the main and urgent mission assigned to them, which is to eliminate terrorism so that Mozambique can continue on the path of development.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230625/looking-back-at-history-of-mozambiques-independence-day-1060147380.html
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230622/african-nations-close-to-defeating-terrorists-in-mozambique-rwandan-president-1060090119.html
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southern africa, mozambique, independence, colonialism, armed forces, holidays, portugal, fighting terrorism
southern africa, mozambique, independence, colonialism, armed forces, holidays, portugal, fighting terrorism
Firm in Defense and Security: Mozambique Celebrates Armed Forces Day
17:36 25.09.2023 (Updated: 09:00 26.09.2023) On September 25, Mozambique observes Armed Forces Day. Also known as Revolution Day, the holiday commemorates the day when Mozambique's War of Independence, an armed conflict between the country's guerrilla forces and the colonial power Portugal, began in 1964.
As Mozambique marks the 59th anniversary of the beginning of its armed struggle for liberation from colonial rule,
Sputnik Africa takes a look at the history of the holiday and how people across the country celebrate and honor the nation's
armed forces.
History of Armed Forces Day
In the early 16th century, Portugal began colonizing Mozambique. At first, all the bases established by the Portuguese were intended to develop trade with India, but in 1752, these territories were officially declared the Portuguese colony, known as Portuguese East Africa or Portuguese Mozambique.
In the 20th century, after the Second World War, other European countries that had colonies in Africa and America began to grant them independence, but Portugal did not follow this path. All its possessions were declared "overseas territories", which provoked the growth of the influence of national liberation movements.
In 1962, a group of activists formed the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) to fight for independence from Portugal. In 1964, FRELIMO abandoned its attempts at
peaceful negotiations, and on September 25, the liberation movement launched its first offensive against the colonial authorities, which sparked the Mozambican War of Independence.
This struggle continued throughout the 60s and 70s, and after a decade FRELIMO managed to take control of about a third of the country's territory. The fighting ended on September 8, 1974, when a truce came into force following the signing of the Lusaka Accord.
Neither side achieved decisive military success, but the new Portuguese political leadership, which had come to power as a result of the Carnation Revolution, was forced to reach an agreement with FRELIMO due to the unpopularity of the colonial war in society and the army, as well as the high financial costs of its implementation. In June 1975, Mozambique gained
independence from Portugal.
The anniversary of the beginning of the country's liberation struggle was designated as Revolution Day to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives for Mozambique's sovereignty and to recognize the contribution of the armed forces to the stability and security of the country.
Armed Forces Day Celebrations
Armed Forces Day in Mozambique is a holiday celebrated to honor all paramilitary structures. On this day, people pay tribute and show gratitude to all branches of the armed forces for their tremendous work and dedication to their country.
The holiday is widely
celebrated throughout the country. It is marked with parades, festivals, singing and dance performances, sports and other festive events and activities. For those citizens who are religious, it's also a day that is observed with special church services held across the nation.
Ahead of this year's celebrations, President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi arrived in Tete, west-central Mozambique, for a two-day working visit, during which he presided over the central ceremony of Armed Forces Day and the commemoration of the 59th anniversary of the start of the War of Independence.
On September 24, Nyusi held a meeting with members of the Mozambique Defense Armed Forces. On this occasion, the Mozambican leader urged all defense and security forces to fulfill their constitutional mandate, which is to guarantee the security and sovereignty of the country, always guided by national and international laws.
On the next day, the president laid a wreath at the large Square of Mozambican Heroes (Praca dos Herois Mocambicanos), which is notable for its 95-meter-long mural commemorating Mozambique's liberation struggle and national heroes.
For his part, the Minister of National Defense, Cristovao Artur Chume, congratulated the country's military personnel and called on them to celebrate without being distracted from the main and urgent mission assigned to them, which is to
eliminate terrorism so that Mozambique can continue on the path of development.
