EU to grant 20 million euros to support rwandan military mission in Mozambique
The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, on Friday announced that Europe will soon approve a 20 million euro financial package to support Rwanda’s military contingent who, over the past year, has been fighting terrorism in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado.
The pledge comes over 24 hours after the diplomat announced in Maputo, the Mozambican capital, the approval of 15 million Euros for the Southern African Development Community Mission to Mozambique (SAMIM), which is also fighting terrorism in Cabo Delgado.
The pledges announced for both Rwanda and SAMIM will complement the €89 million funding to equip units of the Mozambican Armed Forces which are being trained by the European Union Mission in the country.
'We have a plan to support Rwanda with 20 million euros. We already agree at the European Union level, and the only thing missing is the final decision to reinforce Rwanda's operational efforts. Now that I am going back home, we will take that decision,' said Borrell who was speaking during a during his visit to the European Union Military Training Mission in Mozambique (EUTM Mozambique) at the Katembe naval base, where he witnessed the handover of non-lethal equipment funded by the European Peace Facility.
He also made a positive assessment of the mission, in the context of military technical cooperation which is reflected in the training provided to Mozambican marines and commandos to deal with the insurgency that is devastating Cabo Delgado.
Over the last few days Mozambique has seen the spread of terrorist attacks in the province of Nampula, also in the north of the country.
Mozambique's Defence Minister, Cristóvão Chume, who attended the ceremony said that all support aimed at ending terrorism is welcome, given that war is an expensive issue. Therefore, Mozambique will always need help to fund its operations in the Northern Operational Theatre.
'War is expensive anywhere in the world, which is why the EU has stepped up the support it is providing to our country. Yesterday they announced new support to SAMIM and we hope that support to the Rwandan troops will also arrive soon,' said Chume.
It should be noted that Josep Borrell, as part of his two-day visit to Mozambique, will also participate in the ceremony for the change of command of EUTM Mozambique, where Brigadier General Lemos Pires will give way to another Portuguese, Martins de Brito.
The Mission supports the training of rapid reaction units of the Mozambican Armed Defence Forces and includes 119 members from 12 countries. Portugal is chairing the mission and has the largest military contingent.
(AIM)
