USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -And long after the other European powers had relinquished their colonies in the 1960s, Portugal refused to loosen its grip on Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau and the dual-island territory of Sao Tome and Principe.

Detailed explanation-2: -Portugal claimed a swath of territory from present-day Mozambique to Angola. Although the Germans, whose territory bordered Mozambique to the north, accepted the Portuguese claims-establishing Mozambique’s northern boundary-British claims to the region contradicted those of Portugal, leading to prolonged negotiations.

Detailed explanation-3: -In 1974, the Portuguese military realized that it would not be able to militarily defeat FRELIMO and negotiated a peace treaty. One year later in 1975, a victorious FRELIMO led Mozambique to independence. Unfortunately, Eduardo Mondlane did not live to see this victory.

Detailed explanation-4: -Negotiations between the Portuguese administration culminated in the Lusaka Accord signed on September 7, 1974, which provided for a complete hand-over of power to FRELIMO, uncontested by elections. On Machel’s demands, formal independence was set for June 25, 1975, the 13th anniversary of the founding of FRELIMO.