
Tropas ruandesas
Maputo, 20 Nov (AIM – The European Council on Monday approved an additional package worth 20 million Euros (21.1 million dollars at the current exchange rate) under the European Peace Facility to continue supporting the actions of the Rwandan Defence Force in the fight against islamist terrorism in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado.
“This support will enable the purchase of personal equipment and cover the costs related to the strategic airlift needed to support the Rwandan deployment in Cabo Delgado”, said Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, cited in an EU statement.
The deployment of Rwandan troops began in July 2021, at the request of the Mozambican authorities, to support the fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado.
“The presence of Rwandan Defence Force troops has been key to making progress and continues to be fundamental, especially given the recent withdrawal of the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM). This reinforcement measure is a testament to the EU’s support for ‘African solutions to African problems’ and, as part of the global fight against terrorism, it will also serve the EU’s interests in the region”, reads the note.
The additional support complements the parallel assistance measure, worth 89 million Euros, to the Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM) trained by the EU Training Mission (EUTM) Mozambique.
The European Peace Facility (EPF) aims at financing EU external actions with military or defense implications, with the aim of preventing conflicts, preserving peace and strengthening international security and stability.
In particular, the EPF allows the EU to finance actions aimed at strengthening the military and defense capabilities of third states and regional and international organizations.
Since October 2017, Mozambique, particularly Cabo Delgado, has been the target of terrorist attacks that have caused the death of over 4,000 people and led more than 4,000 to leave their homes in search of safer places.
(AIM)
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