Maputo, 3 May (AIM) – Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi on Thursday confirmed that Tanzanian troops will remain in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, to support the Mozambican defence and security forces in the fight against islamist terrorists.
But the Tanzanians will no longer be part of the SADC Military Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM). Instead, their presence will be covered by a bilateral agreement between Mozambique and Tanzania.
Speaking in Maputo at the opening of the 10th edition of the Mining and Energy Conference of Mozambique, cited by the independent newssheet “Mediafax”, Nyusi said “it is true that our brothers from the Southern African Development Community who are supporting us are leaving, after having achieved a crucial stage of stabilization. The Lesotho contingent has already left, and Botswana and South Africa are leaving. But the force from Tanzania is remaining, and is cooperating with us under a bilateral arrangement”.
Forces from Rwanda also remain in Cabo Delgado – indeed, the Rwandan authorities said the number of Rwandan troops could increase, to fill any gaps left by the ending of the SAMIM mission.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa informed the South African parliament in late April that a South African contingent will remain in Mozambique until the end of this year. However, the Mozambican authorities say they have received no official information from their South African counterparts.
Nyusi said his government is continuing its work to stabilize Cabo Delgado, and the departure of SAMIM should be interpreted as a shift from one stage to another in the long path of struggle against terrorism.
Nyusi also expressed his optimism that the US oil and gas giant ExxonMobil remains committed to liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in Cabo Delgado.
He cited ExxonMobil officials as saying “We are here to stay”. After his visit to the United States in April, Nyusi said he had received guarantees from ExxonMobil that its proposed investment in Mozambique’s natural gas is on track for a Final Investment Decision in 2025.
ExxonMobil is leading the construction and operation of all future natural gas liquefaction and related facilities for the Rovuma Basin Area 4 deep water block off the Cabo Delgado coast, operated by Mozambique Rovuma Venture (MRV), a joint venture owned by ExxonMobil, the Italian energy company ENI, and CNPC of China.
(AIM)
Pf/ (389)