EU military chief visits Rwanda security forces in Mozambique

The European Union director of military planning and concept capability, General admiral Herve Blejean, visited the Rwanda Security Forces’ headquarters in Mozambique’s northernmost Province of Cabo Delgado on Wednesday, February 15.

In December 2022, the European Union approved €20 million (approx. Rwf22,7 billion) in assistance for the operations of the Rwandan troops in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, where they are fighting Islamic State-linked terrorists.

In Mocimboa da Praia, a Mozambican port city, Blejean was accompanied by the EU Training Mission in Mozambique Force Commander, Brig Gen Comodore Martins de Brito.

“They received a briefing on the security situation in the Rwandan Security Forces area of responsibility,” a statement from the Ministry of Defence said.

“Gen admiral, Herve Blejean appreciated the great achievement recorded by the joint forces in Cabo Delgado – Mozambique armed forces, RSF and SAMIM – that has registered positive outcomes such as the return of a large number of IDPs to their homes.”

As noted, Blejean added that the EU appreciates and pledges their continued support to ongoing joint operations to bring about lasting peace in Cabo Delgado.

Rwandan and Mozambican troops purged terrorists from Palma and Mocimboa da Praia Districts and are now engaged in a large-scale stabilization effort there. By September 2022, more than 130,000 internally displaced persons returned to their villages in the two districts.

After fully securing the two districts and helping thousands of people return to their villages and settle peacefully, Rwandan and host nation security forces had to ensure that children get back to school and people get access to much needed healthcare, among others.

On July 9, 2021, at the request of Maputo, Kigali deployed troops to the Province of Cabo Delgado to help fight the terrorists, stabilize the area and restore state authority. Barely two weeks after landing, Rwandan and Mozambican forces were circling major bases of the terrorists, capturing them.

On August 8, 2021, the joint forces captured Mocimboa da Praia, a port city that was the headquarters of the terrorists for nearly five years. The capture of the port city dealt a heavy blow to the terrorists who had driven around 826,000 people from their homes and killed more than 2,000 others, in the Province.

By the end of 2022, Rwanda deployed additional troops to Cabo Delgado, increasing the number of its troops there to more than 2,500.

Rwanda and Mozambique agreed to pursue the terrorists to other areas where they relocated to.