Security and conflict in Mozambique : case studies of land access in the post-war period

In many parts of the country, prime land is being distributed by the state to new and returning private national and foreign interests. Concessions (already 15% of the country"s land) are being granted for agricultural land, mineral exploration, hunting reserves, grazing, forestry and timber explorations, making good land scarce for small and medium-sized landholders. Despite increasing number of land conflicts, the government has ignored the problems, and RENAMO is also granting concessions in areas under its political control. According to this paper, three principal problems exist in Mozambique"s land tenure system: the formal land tenure system is weak; it does not reflect the realities of rural Mozambique; and the state is unwilling or unable to effectively administer the land laws that do exist. The paper reports results of a year-long investigation of postwar land access in Mozambique, including, though not limited to, case studies in the provinces of Gaza (Chokwe and Chibuto Districts), Sofala (Nhamatanda District), Manica (Vanduzi District), and Tete (Angonia District). It concludes with recommendations for the government, for RENAMO, for civil society, and for donors and NGOs.