Rwandan forces to stay in Mozambique indefinitely

MAPUTO, Mozambique

Rwanda’s military mission in Mozambique should continue until the completion of the process of rebuilding the infrastructure destroyed by the terrorists in Cabo Delgado, as well as the population being able to return to their areas of origin.

Rwandan president, Paul Kagame, in a discussion with Mozambican President, Filipe Nyusi

The announcement was made on Friday by the Rwandan president, Paul Kagame, during his visit with the President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi, to the contingent of the Rwandan Army and Police and of the Armed Forces for the Defence of Mozambique (FADM), stationed at the Naval Base of Pemba, provincial capital of Cabo Delgado.

The Government approved, at its 32nd ordinary session of the Council of Ministers, the reconstruction plan in Cabo Delgado, which should run from 2021 to 2024, as well as the mechanisms for its implementation, whose budget will be known in the coming days.

Addressing the two forces, Paul Kagame stated that the work carried out by the joint troops is of recognised merit as it is culminating in the recovery of areas that had been occupied by terrorists in this province.

Among the recovered areas, the port town of Mocímboa da Praia, Awasse, the locality of Mbau, and the district of Palma, now under the control of the joint forces of Mozambique and Rwanda, stand out.

“The mission of Rwandan troops in Mozambique continues. The new action should be to guarantee security in the liberated areas until the reconstruction is finished”, said Paul Kagame, affirming that this work should also be done in partnership with the Mozambican Army, which should determine the areas of joint action.

Kagame acknowledged the sensitivity of his army’s mission, stating that there may be sacrifices along this path, but the cause of eradicating terrorism is important. “Losing a man will be the same as losing a lot of people,” he lamented.

The Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) and the Police of the Republic of Rwanda have been in the country since the 9th of July, with a contingent of 1,000 members, to support the Defence and Security Forces (FDS) in eradicating terrorism.

The eradication of violent extremism in Cabo Delgado also relies on the intervention of a Southern African Development Community (SADC) military mission (SAMIM), activated on 9 August.

Speaking at the Pemba Naval Base, the President Filipe Nyusi said that, by recovering the areas under the control of terrorists, the joint forces of Mozambique and Rwanda are freeing humanity.

For this reason, Nyusi said, the population of Cabo Delgado and across the country is grateful for the intervention of Rwandan troops in the country, as well as for all the foreign support.

The president added that the joint action of Mozambican and Rwandan forces is an example for the whole of Africa, for the tranquil and coordinated way in which it has been carried out.

“I want to thank the new mission given by President Kagame, for the Rwandan troops to accompany the process of rebuilding the areas and the infrastructure destroyed by the terrorists in Cabo Delgado”, said Filipe Nyusi.