Top defense and security chiefs from Rwanda and Mozambique on Monday agreed to forge closer relations as a way forward against the ongoing counterterrorism operations in Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique.
The agreement signed Monday in Kigali between Gen Jean-Bosco Kazura RDF Chief of Defense Staff alongside the Chief of General Staff of the Mozambican Armed Forces, Admiral Joaquim Mangrasse, Rwanda will provide training to Mozambique Armed Defense Forces (FADM) as part of the initiative to build the latter’s capacity to fend off defense and security threats.
While speaking during the meeting, Gen.Admiral Joacquim Rivas Mangrasse said that the visit is aimed at thanking the Government of Rwanda in general and its security organs in particular, for helping to fight Islamic State linked terrorists and restoring security in Cabo Delgado Province.
The new defense partnership also includes expanding the spheres of cooperation in terms of capacity building of the Mozambique Security Forces as well as improving the modus operandi of the joint forces in the theatre, according to Col Ronald Rwivanga the Rwanda Defense Force spokesperson.
“The other issue that we discussed also is ways in which to start the training of Mozambican defense,” he said.
Rwanda was the first African country to send troops to Mozambique’s Northern Province, to support the country to restore peace in the area that had increasingly faced attacks by armed groups since late 2017.
The Mozambican delegation is in Rwanda for a three-day official visit, during which both sides will review the security situation in Cabo Delgado province and devise measures to succeed in ongoing operations in the province.
In a related development, Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Mozambique Republic Police held another meeting in Kigali to deepen their cooperation in various matters of policing.
The spokesperson of Rwanda Police, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that discussions during the meeting rested much on strengthening cooperation and building the capacity of Mozambique Republic Police particularly in counterterrorism.
“The Mozambican police chief and his Rwandan counterpart held talks on various issues that include; fighting terrorism, restoring security in the province of Cabo Delgado, and building capacity to security organs in Mozambique. Rwanda National Police will be involved in developing the capacity of Mozambique Republic Police,” said CP Kabera.
CU/abj/APA