Samora Machel, leader of Frelimo, Mozambique

Jun. 06, 1975 - Samora Moises Machel, sole leader of Frelimo - the nationalist guerrilla force (liberation front) which has struggled against the Portuguese colonial regime in Mozambique since 1970, seen here during his emotional departure from Tanzania, the country which has been the main support and base for Frelimo for more than a decade. Machel was leaving Tanzania for Mozambique itself, the country whose first President he will become after the Independence ceremonies of 25th June. Samora Machel has an interesting history: trained as a male nurse and medical assistant, he showed clear signs of military brilliance very soon after joining Frelimo whose leader at that time was Dr Eduardo Mondlane. By 1968 he was already Commander-in-Chief of Frelimo's forces in the field, and after the assassination of Dr Mondlane and a brief period of committee rule he became Frelimo's undisputed leader. Had the change of regime in Portugal itself not made further struggle unnecessary, there is little doubt that Machel would eventually have led Frelimo to final victory against the Portuguese

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Brief Brilliance Carnation Ceremonies Clear Commander-in-chief Coup Decade Departure Detat Doubt Eduardo Emotional Eventually Frelimo Further Guerrilla Interesting Itself Joining Machel Moises Mozambique Nationalist Regime Rule Samora Showed Sole Struggled Tanzania Trained Undisputed Unnecessary

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