Mozambique: Rwanda open to expand Cabo Delgado operation as SADC forces pull out - report
Picture: TVM
The Mozambican Council of Ministers [Cabinet] yesterday adopted a resolution ratifying an agreement on the entry of Russian military ships into Mozambican ports, saying the decision would improve defence and security cooperation.
In April 2018, National Defence Minister Atanasio M’tumuke and Russian counterpart Sergey Kuzhugetovich Shoygu signed an agreement in Moscow on a simplified regime for the entry of Russian naval ships into Mozambican ports. More than a year later, the Council of Ministers announced yesterday that it had considered and approved the instrument.
“The Council of Ministers adopted a resolution ratifying the agreement between the Government of the Republic of Mozambique and the Russian Federation on simplifying the entry of military ships into the ports of the Republic of Mozambique,” government spokeswoman Ana Comoana said.
Coincidence or not, the fact is that the agreement is getting approval in a context in which a group of gunmen hitherto unknown has since 2017 been terrorising inhabitants of the northern province of Cabo Delgado.
However, the government goes on to say that Russian military ships “will be particularly to help combat piracy,” implying that the alleged insurgents are not being targeted.
Also in the defence and security field, the government has approved an agreement ratifying cooperation with Italy.
“The Council of Ministers adopted a resolution ratifying the agreement between the Republic of Mozambique and the government of the Italian Republic on defence cooperation, signed in Maputo on 19 May 2014,” Comoana said, explaining that the agreement aims at cooperation, possibly including training.
Other measure approved by the Council of Ministers yesterday included a decree improving driver licensing procedures, whereby authorisation is preceded by a survey of facilities and conditions, a resolution ratifying the Constitution of the African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology, and a resolution on the provision of air services between Mozambique and Zimbabwe and the Seychelles.
By Romeo Carlos
Leave a Reply
Be the First to Comment!
You must be logged in to post a comment.
You must be logged in to post a comment.