SAMORA MOISES MACHEL - MOZAMBIQUE

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06762103
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 8, 2023
• Document Release Date: August 29, 2019
• Case Number: F-2018-01461
• Publication Date: September 23, 1977

Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06762103
Samora Moises MACHEL
(Phonetic: maSHELL)
President (since
June 1975)
Addressed as:
Mr. President
As president of the
Front for the Liberation
of Mozambique (PRELIMO)
since May 1970, Samora
Machel directed his coun-
try's struggle for inde-
pendence, negotiated the
final peace settlement
with the Portuguese, and
became Mozambique's
first President at independence in June 1975.
According to the Constitution, as FRELIMO head he
is ex officio Commander in Chief of the People's
Forces for the Liberation of Mozambique.
An ardent revolutionary whose philosophy is a
mixture of Marxism-Leninism, Maoism and Tanzanian
socialism, Machel has impeccable revolutionary
credentials: He is from peasant stock; has per-
sonally experienced the humiliations of colonialism;
is steeped in Marxist-Leninist rhetoric; has par-
ticipated in a national liberation movement; and is
strongly committed to the goal of "national libera-
tion." At his inauguration he dedicated himself to
creating "the first truly Marxist state in Africa."
Since independence Machel has proceeded rapidly
to consolidate his power, to downgrade or purge
potential rivals and to institute a regimented,
militarized Marxist-Leninist state, patterned after
China and Tanzania. He has become the dominant
figure in the country and has completely overshadowed
any rival. As head of the party, government, army
and secret police, he wields tremendous power and
does not hesitate to use it to enforce his programs
and ideology. Theoretically Machel shares power
with other members of FRELIMO's Executive Committee,
but in practice he relinquishes only as much power
as he chooses.
MOZAMBIQUE
(cont.)
CR M 77-14977
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Foreign Policy
The Mozambican President has a "two camp"
perception of the world and considers the social-
ist states as his natural allies and the West as
the enemy and "center of imperialism." He has
avoided taking sides in the Sino-Soviet conflict
and seems intent on benefiting from a relation-
shin with both Communist nowers.1
His relations
with Portugal are shaky; he prefers ties to the
Portuguese Communist Party and has been unhappy
with the trend away from the left in Portugal.
Machel is anxious to complete the process of
liberation in Africa. He aided and supported the
Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola and
is now heavily involved with the Zimbabwean
nationalists. He is the youngest and most mili-
tant of the five "frontline" Presidents who are
coordinating their efforts to insure a quick
return to majority rule in Rhodesia. Machel
would prefer a military solution, but serious
economic problems, stepped-up Rhodesian incursions
into Mozambique and the apparent ineffectiveness
of the Zimbabwe guerrillas (based in Mozambique)
have forced him to reconsider and turn reluctantly
to negotiations to find a quick solution.
Personal Data
The 44-year-old Machel is a member of the
Shangana tribe.
n nis press
appearances Machel has been impressive, project-
ing a warm, witty personality and giving an open,
articulate presentation. The President speaks
Portuguese and some French. His wife, Graca, is
Minister of Education and Culture. Machel received
the Lenin Peace Prize in June 1977.
Career Highlights
1963 Joined FRELIMO and
received guerrilla train-
ing in Algeria
1966-74 Commander in chief, guer-
rilla operations
May 1970-date President, FRELIMO
Jun I975-date President
23 September 1977
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06762103