Terrorism in Cabo Delgado: Rwanda has already asked the EU for financial support – O País

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Terrorism in Cabo Delgado: Rwanda has already asked the EU for financial support – O País

10:58 CAT | 28 Mar 2022

Photo: O País

Rwanda has already asked the European Union for financial support to keep its troops in Cabo Delgado, where they have been fighting terrorism since last year. The information was revealed on Saturday by the Rwandan High Commissioner in Mozambique, Claude Nikobisanzwe, who added that the Rwandan forces would remain on the ground until the situation was irreversibly under control.

Rwanda joined the fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado last year and says that, in the areas where it operates, there are already visible results.

“In the areas under Rwanda’s responsibility, the situation is calm. There is no instability. We have stabilised our area, like the district of Palma and Mocímboa da Praia. It’s all under control. Nothing is happening. The population is already returning, especially in Palma, and Mocímboa da Praia, too, everything is fine. We are waiting for the government to make a decision and see if the population can return,” Claude Nikobisanzwe, Rwanda’s High Commissioner in Mozambique, said.

Nikobisanzwe also says that no deadline has been set for the troops to leave the country, so they would remain in Cabo Delgado until the situation was irreversibly under control.

“We will continue to assess how the security situation is unfolding and we would like to see Cabo Delgado stable, rebuilt, with the displaced populations returning and able to carry out their duties normally. Therefore, it is our wish that Cabo Delgado is at peace and we will continue to assess the situation with the Government of Mozambique,” he added.

But keeping its military in the northern operational theatre is expensive and Rwanda was seeking finance from partners, especially the European Union, to meet the needs.

“We asked partners like the European Union, which is considering our request, we as Rwanda and the Government of Mozambique. We hope they will help us. And the two countries have many friends, and we believe they want to see Cabo Delgado safe and stable. We are waiting for them to help us financially, but so far, we have been able to manage,” he said.

The Rwandan High Commissioner in Mozambique also clarified that recent economic cooperation agreements between Mozambique and his country in the fields of trade and mineral resources did not necessarily signify Rwandan participation in the gas business.

“The agreements you are talking about, specifically, in the area of mineral resources in Cabo Delgado, have not yet been signed. But trade agreements are not limited to Cabo Delgado alone. They are general [agreements], [agreements] that countries sign,” he said.

The diplomat was speaking this Saturday on the sidelines of a Municipality of Matola clean-up day involving members of the Rwandan community in Mozambique.

By Dario Cossa

Source: O País