Abstract

In the early stages of a post-conflict situation, outside interests can - and often do - take advantage of the uncertain political and legal climate. Mozambique is no exception. In the Matutuine District in Southern Mozambique, an area that until very recently was cut off from the rest of the country by the civil war, two huge development initiatives are taking place. The first is private sector driven - the Blanchard Mozambican Enterprises-SODETUR Tourism Project - and the other is government driven - the Transfrontier Conservation Area Project. If the two projects proceed as planned, they will have a significant impact on local communities. This project is the first phase of a major initiative to help these communities assess their legal right to the lands they use and strengthen their institutions so that they can take advantage of these two projects, rather than be negatively affected by them. Researchers will identify and develop a range of commercial ventures and tourism opportunities based on the natural resources base, with maximum value added to the communities. A useful byproduct will be the information gained on the role of the private sector in post-conflict settings.

Post-Project Summary

In participation with the community, researchers completed diagnoses in 19 out of 20 communities and prepared a map showing potential land conflicts in the district. Demarcation was undertaken in some communities, based mainly on traditional boundaries that predated independence. In some areas, conflicts between the population and investors had already occurred over investors not observing the procedures laid down in the current Land Law. The researchers held meetings to discuss the Land Law and introduce the concept of ecotourism (advantages and disadvantages) to a total of 680 peasants, both men and women. They organized a trip to South Africa for a group of community leaders to visit ecotourism projects involving community participation. The team organized three seminars on development and organization for a total of 124 community leaders. The seminars were found to be an efficient way of promoting dialogue between communities, and between communities, state bodies and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). A plan to develop economic activities geared to tourism was completed by a consultant and presented to local entrepreneurs.

Although the project was primarily action oriented, the following research findings pertaining to the study area were noted: rapid change in the national socioeconomic context generates conflict; the arrival of a development project raises high expectations, but also insecurity regarding land ownership; in the traditional context, women are not always excluded from the community decision-making process; the area can be divided into four zones based on such criteria as type of natural resources available, type of intervention, relation between investors and local population, etc.; most people are not properly informed about proposed developments, do not know their rights and have no culture of tourism; and in a context characterized by institutional weakness (both community and state), long-term capacity building is needed to achieve defined objectives.

Students and researchers from various institutions visited the project. Project representatives had numerous meetings with the Inter-ministerial Land Commission and contributed to formulating Land Law concepts and regulations. When the main investment company withdrew, the immediate threat to the communities was no longer apparent, and a second phase was not funded.

Recipient Institution(s)