Passion or Profession: revolutionary, politician

Period: 1939–

Chissano played a major role in Mozambique’s struggle for independence from Portugal. When internal self-government was achieved, he became a high official. He went on to become president in 1986, a difficult time for the nation. He helped the nation emerge from the civil war that had been raging since independence. Chissano was reelected in 1995 and 1999.