The Mozambique National Resistance, known as RENAMO, was a political and military movement formed in the late 1970s. It emerged as a response to the ruling FRELIMO party, which had established a socialist government after Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975. RENAMO aimed to challenge FRELIMO's policies and gain control over the country. The conflict between RENAMO and FRELIMO led to a brutal civil war that lasted from 1977 to 1992. The war resulted in significant loss of life and displacement of people. A peace agreement was eventually signed in 1992, allowing RENAMO to transition into a political party and participate in Mozambique's democratic processes.