Kigali, 10 July 2021

The Government of Rwanda, at the request of the Government of Mozambique is in the process of deploying a 1,000-person contingent of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and the Rwanda National Police (RNP) to Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique, which is currently affected by terrorism and insecurity.

The Joint Force commanded by Maj Gen Innocent Kabandana, will work closely with Mozambique Armed Defence Forces (FADM) and forces from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in designated sectors of responsibility.

The Rwandan contingent will support efforts to restore Mozambican state authority by conducting combat and security operations, as well as stabilisation and security-sector reform (SSR).

The RDF Army Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Mubarakh Muganga briefed the departing contingent on behalf of the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, reminding them to uphold RDF values that include honour, patriotism, valour, and integrity. “Be always guided by the RDF values and discipline, have team spirit, and safeguard the good image of Rwanda by performing well,” said Lt Gen Muganga.

This deployment is based on the good bilateral relations between the Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Mozambique, following the signing of several agreements between the two countries in 2018, and is grounded in Rwanda’s commitment to the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine and the 2015 Kigali Principles on the Protection of Civilians.

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