Joaquim Chissano

Joaquim Alberto Chissano (born 22 October 1939) is a politician who served as the second

Joaquim Chissano was born in the remote village of Malehice,

Chissano became "one of the founding members" of the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO), which demanded autonomy from Portugal.^[1] Later, Chissano played a fundamental role in the negotiation of the Lusaka Accord of 1974, which paved the way for the country's independence in 1975.^[1] The new President of Mozambique, Samora Machel, appointed him as Minister of Foreign Affairs.^[1]

President of Mozambique

Chissano succeeded to the presidency and became FRELIMO party leader in 1986 when Samora Machel's presidential aircraft crashed in mountainous terrain in South Africa.

Chissano was reelected to the presidency in 1994 (53.3% of votes) and again in 1999 (52.9% votes), when he defeated the former rebel leader, Afonso Dhlakama.^[1] After winning re-election Chissano's priority became poverty eradication but his efforts were complicated by a severe flood in 2000.^[1] However, Chissano had a fundamental role in convincing the G8 to write off £22 billion of Mozambique's debt in 2005.^[1] Chissano chose not to run for a third term in the elections of 2004, although the constitution would have allowed him to do so.^[4] During Chissano's presidency, almost 3 million people, about 15% of the country's citizens, were removed from "extreme poverty"^[4] and the country achieved an economic growth rate of eight percent.^[1] In addition, child mortality rates for children under age five decreased by 35% and there was a 65% increase in primary school attendance.^[4]

Post presidency

Since leaving the presidency Chissano has assumed the role of elder statesman and has campaigned for peace through his work as an envoy and peace negotiator for the United Nations.

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In 2014, Chissano has spoken out in favor of LGBT rights in Africa.^[16]

On July 3, 2023, he was appointed Honorary President of the new International Association of Friends of the Algerian Revolution. This organization aims to promote the principles of the Algerian Revolution and provide support to colonized peoples.^[17]

Awards and nominations

• On 9 December 2004, he received the Order of the Athir, one of the National Order of Merits of Algeria.
• On February, 2005, he received the
  Honoris Causa title from the University of Minho
  . The title was awarded with the institution justifying the tribute with the action developed by Chissano as President of the Republic and "also for the role he played in the peace process in Mozambique, in the evolution and construction of a democratic and opening up the country to development".
• In 2006, he received the Chatham House Prize.
• In 2007, Kofi Annan announced the former President of Mozambique as the winner of the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. President Chissano received the inaugural Ibrahim Prize for his achievements in bringing peace, reconciliation, stable democracy and economic progress to his country following the 16-year civil war which lasted until 1992. The Prize also recognises the major contribution he has made outside his country’s borders.^[18][19]
• Chairs the Joaquim Chissano Foundation and the Forum of Former African Heads of State and Government.^[20]
• According to a
  UNISA statement, released in Maputo, the former head of state would be distinguished, on 24 May, with the title doctor 'honoris causa' in Literature and Philosophy
  , for the "political and diplomatic work developed in the last five decades." On 24 May 2011 he received it.

Personal life

Chissano is married to Marcelina Rafael Chissano. He is the father of four children and his son received a scholarship to Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa.^[21] Chissano has been criticized for his continued friendship with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and there have been allegations that Chissano's son Nyimpine Chissano (who died in 2007) promised payment for the assassination of journalist Carlos Cardoso.^[1]

Chissano speaks fluent Portuguese, French, English, and Swahili. He speaks Changana as well.^[22][23]

See also

• Portuguese Colonial War

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n} Soares, Claire (23 October 2007). "Joaquim Chissano: Democrat among the despots". The Independent. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
2. ^ Unknown author (2012). The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Columbia University Press. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
3. Mozambican Tupolev Tu-134 air disaster
4. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Taylor, Steve (10 December 2012) Can Meditation Change the World? The amazing story of the 'meditating president Psychology Today, accessed 31 December 2012
5. ^ ^{a b c} Keller, Bill (10 February 1994). "Beatle's Guru Offers Nirvana to Mozambique". New York Times. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
6. ^ ^{a b c} Astill, James (22 September 2001). "Meditation is path to peace, Mozambique leader says: Former Marxist guerrilla turned president spreads the word of the Beatles' guru to his ministers and the military". The Guardian. Manchester (UK). p. 19.
7. ^ VAN NIEKERK, PHILLIP (27 November 1994). "Mozambique and yogic cult start project to create Utopia Phillip van Niekerk reports from Maputo on moves by the guru of the Beatles to run a quarter of the country". The Guardian. Manchester (UK).
8. ^ BERESFORD, DAVID (28 October 1994). "Guru to create heaven on earth". The Guardian. Manchester (UK).
9. ISBN 978-1-892941-04-6
   .
10. ^ VAN NIEKERK, PHILLIP (27 November 1994). "Mozambique and yogic cult start project to create Utopia Phillip van Niekerk reports from Maputo on moves by the guru of the Beatles to run a quarter of the country". The Guardian. Manchester (UK).
11. ^ "2018 Ibrahim Governance Weekend - Mo Ibrahim Foundation". Mo Ibrahim Foundation. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
12. ^ "Mozambique ex-leader wins prize". BBC News. 22 October 2007. Retrieved 22 October 2007.
13. ^ "For Africa, Water Is Life", 22 March 2010, Huffington Post
14. ^ "Honor Committee". Retrieved 4 May 2018.
15. ^ Joaquim Chissano on Forbes, Forbes
16. ^ Ofori-Atta, Prince. "An Open Letter to Africa's Leaders - Joaquim Chissano, former President of Mozambique - Soapbox". www.theafricareport.com. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
17. ^ "Naissance de l'Association internationale des "Amis de la Révolution algérienne": le moudjahid Noureddine Djoudi plébiscité président". Algérie Presse Service. 3 July 2023.
18. ^ Ibrahim Prize Laueates | Mo Ibrahim Foundation Archived 19 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine
19. ^ "Kofi Annan announces the former President of Mozambique as the winner of the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership" (PDF). Retrieved 4 May 2018.
20. ^ "Profile: Joaquim Chissano". 22 October 2007. Retrieved 4 May 2018 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
21. ^ Keller, Bill (20 February 1994). "Heavenly Plans for Mozambique". San Francisco Chronicle. p. 3.
22. ^ "Joaquim Alberto Chissano Facts". biography.yourdictionary.com. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
23. ^ Portugal, Rádio e Televisão de. "JOAQUIM CHISSANO - CONVERSAS DE MÁRIO SOARES - Informação - Entrevista e Debate - RTP". www.rtp.pt. Retrieved 21 September 2020.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Joaquim Chissano.

• Fundação Joaquim Chissano Archived 25 February 2021 at the Wayback Machine
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Interview with Joaquim Chissano by Tor Sellström within the project Nordic Documentation on the Liberation Struggle in Southern Africa

Political offices
Preceded by Samora Machel	President of Mozambique 1986–2005	Succeeded by Armando Guebuza
Preceded by Thabo Mbeki	Chairperson of the African Union 2003–2004	Succeeded by Olusegun Obasanjo
Preceded by New post	LRA -affected areas 2007–present day	Succeeded by Incumbent
Awards and achievements
Preceded by New award	Prize for Achievement in African Leadership 2007	Succeeded by Festus Mogae
Preceded by Viktor Yushchenko	Chatham House Prize 2006	Succeeded by Moza bint Nasser