40th Anniversary of Mozambican Independence Day
Earlier today the Irish Ambassador to Mozambique, His Excellency, Mr. William Carlos, attended the 40th anniversary of Mozambican Independence. Mozambique became independent from Portugal on 25 June 1975. Also attending the anniversary celebrations was the President of Mozambique Mr. Filipe Jacinto Nyusi and the rest of the Diplomatic Corps which are accredited to Mozambique.
With the signing of the Rome General Peace Accords in 1992 Mozambique emerged from a Civil war that lasted almost 20 years. During this Civil War it is estimated that about one million people lost their lives.
After the end of the Civil War Ireland established an aid program in Mozambique in 1996. The aim of the program is to assist in the economic development of Mozambique. Since the opening of our Embassy Ireland has worked with a variety of partner organisations including government institutions, UN agencies, international research institutions and aid agencies to support development in Mozambique. Ireland has had provincial programs in Mozambique in the provinces of Inhambane and Niassa since the signing of a Technical Agreement between the Governments of Ireland and Republic of Mozambique.
In addition Ireland has directed most of its financial support to the sectors of Educations, Health and Agriculture at both provincial and national levels. Ireland also provides the Mozambican Government with General Budget Support.
Today Mozambique is one of the world’s fastest growing economies yet it still remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Currently Mozambique is ranked 178 out of 187 countries in the United Nations’ Human Development Index. It is classified as one of the world’s most vulnerable countries with regards to natural disasters and the effects of climate change.