Rwandan forces in Cabo Delgado under new leadership
On September 7, Major General Emmy Ruvusha officially assumed command of the Rwandan Security Forces (RSF) within the Joint Task Force in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, succeeding Major General Alex Kagame, who completed his mission. Ruvusha's appointment followed an insurgent attack on Rwandan forces at the end of August, resulting in an ambush in Mocímboa da Praia.
The transition ceremony took place in Mocímboa da Praia. After arriving in Mozambique on August 20, Ruvusha received a briefing and conducted a reconnaissance visit to the RSF's operational areas, covering strategic locations such as Mocímboa da Praia, Chinda, Palma, Afungi, Pundanhar, Macomia, Ancuabe, and Pemba.
In his initial statements, Ruvusha praised Kagame's leadership and underscored the ongoing importance of the RSF mission in stabilizing the insurgency-affected region. Kagame acknowledged the progress made under his command and expressed confidence in Ruvusha's ability to lead the force moving forward.
Rwanda deployed troops to Cabo Delgado in July 2021 at the request of the Mozambican government, with the goal of supporting regional stabilization in the face of an armed insurgency. Since then, joint operations between Rwandan and Mozambican forces have resulted in the expulsion of insurgents from various parts of the province. This intervention has enabled over 250,000 displaced residents to return home and allowed economic activities to resume in districts such as Palma and Mocímboa da Praia, which had been disrupted by attacks since 2017.
More broadly, the situation in Cabo Delgado remains a focal point in political and electoral discourse, with various political forces proposing solutions to the ongoing crisis. Parties such as FRELIMO emphasize strengthening defense capabilities, while others, like the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), advocate for dialogue with the terrorists as part of the solution.
