By Gabriel Ani
BRUSSELS (ChatnewsTV) — The European Union Council approved an additional €20 million in funding on Monday to support the deployment of the Rwanda Defence Force in Mozambique’s conflict-stricken Cabo Delgado province. The funds, allocated under the European Peace Facility, aim to bolster ongoing efforts to combat terrorism in the region.
This financial boost will enable the acquisition of essential personal equipment and cover the strategic airlift costs necessary to sustain Rwanda’s military presence. The deployment, which began in July 2021 at the request of Mozambican authorities, has played a crucial role in countering insurgent groups in the area.
“The presence of the Rwanda Defence Force has been instrumental in making progress in Cabo Delgado,” said Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
“With the recent withdrawal of the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique, Rwandan forces remain a key factor in ensuring stability.”
The €20 million top-up is part of the EU’s commitment to supporting “African solutions for African problems,” Borrell added, emphasizing the importance of the initiative not only for regional security but also for broader European interests in combatting global terrorism.
The new funding supplements an existing €89 million assistance measure dedicated to the Mozambican Armed Forces, which were previously trained by the EU Training Mission in Mozambique. This dual support underscores the EU’s long-term investment in regional security and stability.
The European Peace Facility, launched in March 2021, serves as the EU’s primary tool for financing military and defense-related actions outside its borders. Its objectives include conflict prevention, peace preservation, and strengthening international security. The facility also enables the EU to enhance the military capacities of third states and regional organizations in addressing pressing security challenges.
