box 3.2: besT PracTIce In The gPa and The Peace Process Mozambique’s road to peace after several years of civil war is a model of social capital at work in the reconciliation of warring factions of a country. With the assistance of some African countries, the Italian government, the community of Sant’ Edigio and churches of Mozambique, leaders of FRELIMO and RENAMO in October 1992 committed themselves to renounce war and work towards the achievement of peace, democracy and national unity based on national reconciliation. The result of their pledge has been an unbroken period of 16 years of peace and stability that Mozambique has enjoyed since the signing of the GPA. The uniqueness of the GPA goes beyond the laying down of arms by the combatants. It enunciates principles and values that should be the foundation of multiparty democracy in the future and these have proved to be a valuable framework for anchoring political activities to date. Multiparty democracy, the electoral system, the guarantee of freedoms and rights, and the restoration of traditional rulers to the structure of governance are some of the features of Mozambique’s constitutional and political order that are traceable to the GPA. Peace has held ever since, albeit fragile. 235. The CRM observed that the role of religious leaders in the DDR of ex-combatants has proved particularly successful in collecting small arms and light weapons long after international efforts have ended (Box 3.3). Agha Khan - RD Igreja Santo António da Polana - RD Correios de Moçambique - RD 98 A P R M COU N T RY R EV IEW R EP ORT NO. 11 Palácio dos Casamentos - RD Estátua Eduardo Mondlane - RD Standart Bank - RD