82. The Marxist ideology adopted by FRELIMO brought it into conflict with the leaders of other political parties that were outlawed, traditional rulers who had been removed, and rural dwellers adversely affected by the government’s policies. Severe conflicts started to erupt, culminating in full-scale civil war between the one-party FRELIMO government and the National Resistance of Mozambique (RENAMO). RENAMO was formed in 1976/77 under Rhodesian direction, but drew on popular resentment against the government, primarily in the central region of Mozambique. Civil War (1976–92) 83. Mozambique was embroiled in a civil war for 16 years. The proclamation of independence in 1975, and the country’s commitment to building a new society based on equality and social justice for all citizens, had antagonised the then racial and minority regimes in South Africa and Rhodesia. In particular, Mozambique’s support for the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa, the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) and Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) liberation movements, coupled with its firm stand against apartheid and oppression in southern Africa, culminated in confrontation with the then neighbouring racist regimes. Rhodesian and South African secret services, with some support from American rightwing groups, set up RENAMO as an anticommunist organisation. RENAMO was financed and trained in order to destabilise Mozambique and undermine the fulfilment of FRELIMO’s political and economic agenda by means of low-intensity guerrilla warfare. In addition, Mozambique’s close relations with the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the former Communist bloc marked it as one of the Cold War battlegrounds. 84. It should be noted, however, that although Rhodesian and South African secret services created and supported RENAMO in its struggle against FRELIMO, the movement appears to have been supported internally by FRELIMO dissidents, RENAMO captives and the local population in RENAMO-controlled areas. 85. Available evidence3 indicates that in May 1975, 5 000 former FRELIMO members were branded as traitors. In August of that year, various top army commanders were expelled and sent either to prison or to re-education camps. In December, the government successfully cracked down on a rebellion and “those involved in it were severely punished”. In February 1976, five members of FRELIMO’s central committee were expelled from the party. Among the top military commanders expelled were André Matadi Matsangaisa, the first President of RENAMO, and Afonso Marceta Macacho Dhlakama, the current President of RENAMO. Both had escaped from a re-education camp and went to Rhodesia, where they received logistical support and assistance to fight against FRELIMO. In June 1976, the Rhodesians set up the “Voice of Free 3 Serapião, L.B. 1989. FRELIMO and political legitimacy in independent Mozambique. Africa Quarterly, 29(1/2): 10–26. 61