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Joaquim Chissano

Joaquim Alberto Chissano (born 22 October 1939) is a politician who served as the second President of Mozambique, from 1986 to 2005. He is credited with transforming the war-torn country of Mozambique into a successful African democracy.[1] After his presidency, Chissano became an elder statesman, envoy and diplomat for both his home country and the United Nations. Chissano also served as Chairperson of the African Union from 2003 to 2004.

His Excellency
Joaquim Alberto Chissano

Mário da Graça Machungo
Pascoal Mocumbi
Luísa Diogo

Samora Machel

Armando Guebuza

Position established

Pascoal Mocumbi

(1939-10-22) 22 October 1939
Malehice, Gaza Province, Portuguese Mozambique

FRELIMO

Marcelina Rafael Chissano

4

On 9 December 2004, he received the Order of the Athir, one of the of Algeria.

National Order of Merits

On February, 2005, he received the title from the University of Minho. The title was awarded with the institution justifying the tribute with the action developed by Chissano as President of the Republic and "also for the role he played in the peace process in Mozambique, in the evolution and construction of a democratic and opening up the country to development".

Honoris Causa

In 2006, he received the Chatham House Prize.

In 2007, announced the former President of Mozambique as the winner of the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. President Chissano received the inaugural Ibrahim Prize for his achievements in bringing peace, reconciliation, stable democracy and economic progress to his country following the 16-year civil war which lasted until 1992. The Prize also recognises the major contribution he has made outside his country’s borders.[18][19]

Kofi Annan

Chairs the Joaquim Chissano Foundation and the Forum of Former African Heads of State and Government.

[20]

According to a statement, released in Maputo, the former head of state would be distinguished, on 24 May, with the title doctor 'honoris causa' in Literature and Philosophy, for the "political and diplomatic work developed in the last five decades." On 24 May 2011 he received it.

UNISA

Personal life[edit]

Chissano is married to Marcelina Rafael Chissano. He is the father of four children and his son received a scholarship to Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa.[21] Chissano has been criticized for his continued friendship with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and there have been allegations that Chissano's son Nyimpine Chissano (who died in 2007) promised payment for the assassination of journalist Carlos Cardoso.[1]


Chissano speaks fluent Portuguese, French, English, and Swahili. He speaks Changana as well.[22][23]

Portuguese Colonial War

Archived 25 February 2021 at the Wayback Machine

Fundação Joaquim Chissano

on C-SPAN

Appearances

Interview with Joaquim Chissano by Tor Sellström within the project Nordic Documentation on the Liberation Struggle in Southern Africa