Mozambique: Rwanda open to expand Cabo Delgado operation as SADC forces pull out – report

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Mozambique: Rwanda open to expand Cabo Delgado operation as SADC forces pull out – report

2:36 CAT | 22 Dec 2023

File photo: Twitter

The Rwandan government is open to expanding its operations to combat rebel groups in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province, at a time when the forces of the SADC mission are preparing to leave the field, the Rwandan ministry of defence has announced.

In the same way that we agreed to go to Ancuabe, which is another district, when the request was made to us, I believe that if this request [to expand operations] is made to our administration, we can consider it,” said Ronald Riwanga, spokesman for the Rwandan ministry of defence, quoted on Friday by Mozambique state television.

At issue is the departure, starting this month, of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in Mozambique, a force that, like Rwanda, has supported operations and combat against rebel groups in Cabo Delgado.

At issue is the departure, as of this month, of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in Mozambique, a force that, like Rwanda, has been supporting operations and fighting against rebel groups in Cabo Delgado.

Apart from Ancuabe, the Rwandan forces are now mainly operating in Mocímboa da Praia and Palma, but the Mozambican forces’ attention is now on the banks of the Messalo River, between Muidumbe and Macomia, further north in the province.

“The most important thing is that we work together with the Mozambican forces to pacify Cabo Delgado province,” emphasised Ronald Riwanga.

With Rwanda, which arrived in July 2021, and SADC, which arrived in the province in August of the same year, Maputo’s military offensive has enabled a climate of greater security in the region that hadn’t been felt for years, recovering locations that were controlled by the rebels, such as the town of Mocímboa da Praia, which had been occupied since 2020.

The Mozambican army considers that security has been re-established in around 90% of Cabo Delgado province, arguing that the conditions are in place for private companies to return, including the French oil company Total, which is leading the Area 1 consortium, an investment of around €20 billion for gas exploration in Afungi.

The work was suspended indefinitely after an armed attack on Palma in March 2021, when the French energy company declared that it would only resume work when the area was safe.

The province of Cabo Delgado has been facing an armed insurgency for six years, with attacks claimed by the extremist group Islamic State and its affiliates.

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

Source: Lusa