History+of+Mozambique-+WR-+SP12

Leaders:
 * __Ferosa Abel David Chauque Zacaria__ was a human rights advocate from Mozambique. She was a participant in Conectas’ Fellowship Program for Portuguese – Speaking Africa. Since September 2011 she has been undertaking an internship at the institution where she’s following the legal and procedural work in criminal justice.
 * __Graca Machel__ is the widow of Mozambique’s first president is now one of Africa’s leading iconic figures. Because of her unceasing efforts for child war victims, but also that she took part in fighting for Mozambique’s freedom. She strove to bring peace in her country.
 * __Alice Mabota__ president of Mozambique’s Human Rights League. Alice is a lawyer who is one of the most prominent Human Rights activists in Mozambique. Founder of Mozambique’s Human Rights league that was established in 1955. She has won the International Women Courage Award in 2010.
 * __Lusia Diogo__ - Mozambiques first female prime minister. She is leading what was once a failed state but now is doing a lot better. She joined the country when it was at its all time low; during the civil war and when disasters were occuring and HIV/AIDS rate were skyrocketing. She has even been singled out by the world bank for her efforts in poverty reduction.

Banta speabers migrated to Mozambique in the first millennium, and Arab and Swahili traders settled in the region thereafter. It was explored by Vasco de Gama in 1498 and first colonized by Portugal in 1505. By 1510, the Portuduese had control of all the former Arab sultanates on the east African coast. Portuguese colinial rule was repressive. A cease-fire was signed in Sept 1974, andafter haveing been inder Portuguese colonial rule for 470 years, Mozambique became indepndent in June 1975.

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