Politics in Mozambique takes place in a framework of a semi-presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Mozambique is head of state and head of government in a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the Prime Minister, Council of Ministers, and the President of the Republic. The Assembly of the Republic is the country's only national legislative chamber. The judiciary branch has the Constitutional Council, the highest court on Constitutional issues; the Administrative Tribunal, the highest court on administration matters; and the Supreme Court, the highest criminal and civil court. The judiciary is managed by the Superior Council of the Judiciary.

In their 2024 report, the Economist Democracy Index classified Mozambique as an authoritarian regime due to election manipulation. Observers from organizations like the European Union and Carter Foundation have found election irregularities. Opposition parties often allege election fraud. The 2024 national election saw a surge of demonstrations and police violence towards protestors. FRELIMO has been and currently remains the country's ruling party. Mozambique has faced insurgencies both from RENAMO, one of the opposition political parties, and Al-Shabaab, a jihadist militant group. Mozambique has ratified several international treaties, is a member of the Southern African Economic Partnership Agreement, and participates in international organizations such as the World Health Organization, Interpol, and the Commonwealth of Nations.

Portuguese colonial rule ended in 1974 following the decade long Mozambican War of Independence. The conflict was originally led by Eduardo Mondlane until his assassination in 1969. Mozambique declared its independence in 1975. The military campaign leaders of Frente de Libertação de Moçambique (FRELIMO) quickly formed a one-party state allied with the Soviet bloc. Under FRELIMO's leadership, political pluralism, religious educational institutions, and the role of traditional leaders came to an end. Due to the group splitting into several factions along with its lack of respect for spiritual and traditional leadership, over 85 percent of the population did not recognize FRELIMO's rule as legitimate.

Armando Guebuza ordered Mozambique's Portuguese population to leave the country within 24 hours. Since they were only permitted to carry 20 kilograms of belongings, they had to leave behind most of their assets. Those who returned to Portugal were derided for their poverty since aiding them was seen as a drain on the country's limited resources. Many of the returning refugees went on to commit suicide.

FRELIMO's government supported both the South African (ANC) and Zimbabwean (ZANU-PF) guerrilla movements by providing food and shelter. The governments of apartheid South Africa and Rhodesia funded an armed rebel movement in central Mozambique called the Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO). RENAMO was opposed to FRELIMO's Marxist autocratic government; their goal was to force FRELIMO to bring about democratic multiparty elections. By 1980, RENAMO came under the control of South Africa's military intelligence. The U.S. State Department describes this period as, "Civil war, sabotage from neighboring states, and economic collapse characterised the first decade of Mozambican independence."

RENAMO exploited FRELIMO's lack of respect towards religion and farmers to gain popularity in rural regions. However, RENAMO was also strongly disliked due to its violent methods to gain control of the civilization population, giving it a reputation as a "parasite army" internationally.

The Mozambican Civil War ravaged the countries infrastructure. Between 1977 and 1992, about a million people died as a result of fighting or famine. 1.7 million fled to surrounding nations, and six million more people were displaced within Mozambique. During the third FRELIMO party congress in 1983, President Samora Machel acknowledged that socialism had failed as well as the need for political and economic reform. Progress would be hindered by a plane crash three years later that killed Machel and several advisors.

Joaquim Chissano continued political reforms, including starting peace talks with RENAMO. In November 1990, a new constitution set up a democratic multi-party system and a market-based economy for the country. The Mozambican Civil War ended on October 4, 1992, with an agreement brokered by the United Nations known as the Rome General Peace Accords.