Resettlement and social rights of local communities in Mozambique

Abstract

Based on the experiences of Kenmare in Moma, Vale Moçambique in Moatize, and Maputo Sul in the context of the construction of the bridge between Maputo and Katembe, this article seeks to analyse the impact of resettlement resulting from economic development projects on the social rights of local communities. The study is based on the assumption that: (i) the trampling of social rights constitutes a poverty factor for local communities, by conditioning access to basic services such as health, education, electricity, water supply, social assistance and others; (ii) development is not synonymous with economic growth, since it involves a series of qualitative improvements in institutional, political and socio-cultural terms, with a view to promoting the well-being of the population. Based on bibliographic research and fieldwork, the study is assumed, in terms of approach, to be a qualitative research, using published materials as well as participant observation and semi-structured interviews. The results of the study demonstrate that the resettlement process needs improvement and refinement in its various stages so that it, does not constitute an obstacle to the progress of human rights of the communities covered by development projects.