The Mission was established by Security Council Resolution 782 of 13 October 1992 to monitor and verify the cease-fire, the separation and concentration of forces, their demobilization and the collection, storage and destruction of weapons; to monitor and verify the complete withdrawal of foreign forces; to monitor and verify the disbanding of private and irregular armed groups; to authorize security arrangements for vital infrastructures; to provide security for the United Nations and other international activities in support of the peace process, especially in the corridors; to provide technical assistance and monitor the entire electoral process; to coordinate and monitor all humanitarian assistance operations, in particular those related to refugees, internally displaced persons, demobilized military personnel and the affected local population and to facilitate the implementation of the general peace agreement for Mozambique. Upon completion of the task, the Mission was terminated in January 1995.
The colour combination for the ribbon and bars consists of a central wide band of UN blue flanked by two narrow bands of white, representing the Peace, and two bands in green on the sides, representing the tropical climate of Mozambique. Qualifying time for the medal is 90 days of service in the Mission.
The countries of Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Botswana, Canada, Cape Verde, the Peoples Republic of China, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Malaysia, Nepal, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, the Russian Federation, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Togo, the United States of America, Uruguay and Zambia provided military observers, police observers or troops to this Mission.