Mozambique: EU approves 89 million euros for fight against terrorism – AIM

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Mozambique: EU approves 89 million euros for fight against terrorism – AIM

2:08 CAT | 15 Jul 2022

Photo: Twitter / @SBeneditoEU

The European Union (EU) has approved a package of 89 million euros (89.4 million US dollars, at the current exchange rate) for the fight against the terrorism that has been plaguing parts of the northern province of Cabo Delgado, since October 2017.

This sum, which will be made available over the next two weeks, will be invested in the training of the Defense and Security Forces, in order to make them more operational and self-sufficient, as well as in the purchase of non-lethal protective equipment.

The aid was announced this Wednesday by the outgoing Ambassador of the European Union accredited in Mozambique, António Sánchez-Benedito Gaspar, minutes after an audience granted to him by President Filipe Nyusi.

The ambassador, who is closing his four-year term of office in Mozambique, said that “with regard to equipment, the European Union has already approved a package of 89 million euros for training and purchase of non-lethal equipment for 11 Marine command units that are being trained, including uniforms, vests, helmets, communication systems, drones, vehicles, a field hospital, and other individual protection materials.”

According to the diplomat, it is true that great advances have already been made in the fight against terrorism and that the Mozambican government, with the support of allied countries, has managed to control the situation in general terms, “but the attacks continue and even in some places that had not previously been affected.″

“Hence, we have to continue to be present”, said the Ambassador. “Our objective is to help control and manage the situation”.

Regarding the meeting with the president, Gaspar said that it was an opportunity to make a balance of the last few years that were very intense and at the same time to strengthen and deepen the partnership between the European Union and Mozambique.

He revealed that the EU will start a new cycle of cooperation aligned with the priorities of Mozambique, but with a focus on youth.

“We will put a lot of focus on youth in this new era and we will also pay more attention to Mozambique’s green and digital transition and to peace and security issues”, he said, congratulating the country on the Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration (DDR) of the former guerrillas of Renamo, the main opposition party.

As I am to end my 4-year mission this month, I today bid farewell to President Filipe Nyusi to whom I expressed the honour and privilege of serving in this country as EU🇪🇺Ambassador and reiterated EU solid partnership with Mozambique🇲🇿 throughout the future. #TeamEurope @eu_eeas pic.twitter.com/DoNiCpqMZC

— Antonio Sánchez-Benedito Gaspar (@SBeneditoEU) July 13, 2022