| | Exploring the origins, nature and consequences of MNR violence and murder,, this article argues that Renamo does not conform to the classical characteristics of warlordism. It does not represent a cession of central control to local interests; rather it is an attack on the national sovereignty of Mozambique created and perpetuated by external powers. Nevertheless, in some areas the externally imposed proxy war may have been able to achieve a certain local dynamic and so, to this extent, the warlord concept may have some limited usefulness. Darch also completely rejects the idea that the MNR can be considered to be a case of 'social banditry' , even allowing for the weaknesses inherent of this concept. This article examines some of the existing analyses of the domestic aspects of the MNR phenomenon, especially the question of its social base. The result will certainly be more of an agenda for research and clarification than a developed position. There is already extensive and completely convincing evidence for the fact that the MNR took on its present shape in 1980, when the SA military took it over from the defunct Rhodesian regime. At the time of writing (July 1989) there is also extensive evidence for the fact that support continues to flow from SA to the MNR in violation of the Nkomati Accord and other agreements. The MNR has other important sources of support, especially in Portugal, the US and West Germany. |
