Mozambique and Rwanda seek closer defense cooperation
Mozambique and Rwanda have reaffirmed their commitment to increasing defense and security cooperation, with a specific emphasis on combating terrorism and improving military training.
Officials said they anticipate high-level meetings between the two nations in the days ahead.
On August 23, Mozambique’s Minister of National Defense Maj Gen Cristóvão Artur Chume led a group to Rwanda, where he met with his counterpart Juvenal Marizamunda at the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Headquarters for bilateral talks.
They talked about intelligence sharing, strengthening the defense forces’ capabilities in both nations, and strengthening cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
Maj Gen André Rafael Mahunguane, Commander of the Mozambican Armed Forces, and Commissioner of Police Fabião Pedro Nhancololo, Commander of the Law-and-Order Service of the National Police of Mozambique, were part of the visiting delegation. The trip is a component of initiatives to fortify Kigali and Maputo’s long-standing defense collaboration.
Speaking during the meeting, Minister Chume underlined the significance of cooperative efforts to enhance response capabilities and stressed that terrorism continues to be a shared concern for both nations and the larger region.
Not only is Mozambique at risk from terrorism, but Rwanda and the entire region are as well. Our endeavors are shared, and we talked about ways to strengthen our response capacity, especially through intelligence sharing, training, and operational coordination,” he stated.
In order to free districts that had been paralyzed by Islamist rebels, Rwandan and Mozambican forces have been collaborating since mid-2021 in the country’s Cabo Delgado Province. He emphasized these combined counterterrorism operations.
Chume claims that these efforts have greatly improved stability, enabling communities to restart social and economic endeavors.
He also praised Rwandan troops’ bravery in Cabo Delgado and emphasized the need of training as a basis for improved defense cooperation.
“We go to Rwanda to honor those who lost their lives in this admirable attempt to defeat terrorism in Mozambique and to acknowledge the sacrifice made by men and women in uniform. “We will never forget their memory,” he said.
Chume added that the tour was also intended to get ready for the president and commander-in-chief of Mozambique’s next state visit, which is anticipated to take place in Rwanda soon.
In order to pay tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the Mozambican delegation also went to the Campaign against Genocide Museum and the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
