Mozambique: Armed Forces receive 22 vehicles from the EU training mission

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Mozambique: Armed Forces receive 22 vehicles from the EU training mission

12:42 CAT | 06 Nov 2023

Photo: @EUTMMozambique / X

The European Union Training Mission in Mozambique (EUTM-MOZ) on Friday announced the delivery of 22 all-terrain vehicles to the Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM), as part of the provision of non-lethal equipment to the country.

According to the EUTMMOZ command in Maputo, “an additional 22 light 4×4 vehicles” were delivered by the European Union (EU) to the Mozambique Armed Defence Forces, under the aegis of European Peace Facility (EPF) mechanism.

“Through the Assistance Measure to Mozambique (ASMOZ) project, the EU provides non-lethal equipment to support the development of capabilities and the deployment of the Quick Reaction Forces (QRF) trained by EUTMMOZ,” the communication reads.

Under the European Peace Facility (EPF), EU 🇪🇺 has delivered➕2⃣2⃣ Light Vehicles 4×4, to the #FADM.
Through the Assistance Measure to🇲🇿project, 🇪🇺provides non-lethal equipment to support the capacity building and the deployment of the QRFs trained by #EUTMMOZ.@Coginta @eu_eeas pic.twitter.com/ygcp7syvo7

— EUTM Mozambique (@EUTMMozambique) November 3, 2023

EUTMMOZ, formed following the emergence of terrorist attacks in Cabo Delgado province in northern Mozambique, has been led since September 15 by Brigadier General João Carlos de Bastos Jorge Gonçalves, of the Portuguese Air Force (FAP), who replaced the Marine Commodore Rogério Paulo Figueira Martins de Brito, also Portuguese.

“The solution to this type of conflict is not purely military (…) an integrated solution is needed,” declared Brigadier General João Carlos de Bastos Jorge Gonçalves upon assuming the leadership of EUTMMOZ in an official ceremony in Maputo.

He also argued that the results achieved by the Armed Defence and Security Forces of Mozambique, with the support of foreign forces, are positive and show progress, but a definitive solution to the problem must involve understanding the dynamics of the population.

“We have to work at the population level; we need to better understand them. We have to work at an economic, social and investment level, so that this is a global solution and not a specifically military one,” the former FAP F-16 pilot highlighted.

“The military component is an important pillar in providing the security that underpins all other development, in order to obtain this satisfaction and guarantee this security through the Armed Forces, but it is also important that the population has the conditions to evolve economically and socially,” he declared.

Within a two-year mandate starting in September 2022, EUTMMOZ must evaluate with the Mozambican authorities the future of its presence in Mozambique by the end of this year. EUTMMOZ has already trained around 60 Mozambican instructors who will continue the instruction of the country’s special forces, the command of that force advanced in July.

In addition to providing operational training for the formation of Quick Reaction Forces, EUTMMOZ has also provided combat equipment to members of these units, with the value of material support already exceeding €80 million.

EUTMMOZ’s mandate foresees the formation of 11 Mozambican QRF units, each of which has a composition equivalent to a military company.

The current mission consists of a contingent of 117 people, 65 of whom are from Portugal, the country that also commands EUTMMOZ.

Cabo Delgado province has been facing armed insurgency for six years, with some attacks claimed by the extremist group Islamic State.

The conflict has already displaced one million people, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and caused around 4,000 deaths, according to the ACLED conflict registration project.

Source: Lusa