The military operations currently being carried out in Mozambique by the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) constitute a preventive intervention against terrorists. The Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta said during a press conference on Thursday 29 July 2021 in Kigali.
“Our intervention in Mozambique will benefit that country first but also Rwanda as a preventive measure,” said Dr Vincent Biruta, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
“Among the prisoners of war arrested in Cabo Delgado province are fighters who were recruited in Rwanda and who passed through other terrorist movements before coming to Mozambique,” said Minister Vincent Biruta.
“Some are from Somalia. You are informed about the situation in the Sahel. If you analyze what is happening, you cannot conclude that the problem is limited to Mozambique and that we are not concerned. All those countries neighbouring Mozambique like Tanzania, Malawi, South Africa are also concerned,” said Dr Vincent Biruta, “Intervening in Mozambique is also in the interest of security in Africa,” he added.
Interested organizations and countries informed
Regarding the reactions against the RDF intervention in Mozambique, Minister Vincent Biruta drew a comparison between the current deployment of Rwandan troops and the one organized in December 2020 in the Central African Republic (CAR).
He explained that discussions were held between the two countries, Mozambique and Rwanda. Then other countries were informed about the decision to intervene militarily in Cabo Delgado province. No country or government objected, according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Vincent Biruta.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union and countries with interests in Mozambique such as France, Portugal, the United States and China were informed. “All of them supported this decision of military intervention. It is people in their personal capacity who are expressing their disagreement,” said Vincent Biruta.
Recovering the territories occupied by the terrorists
The RDF spokesman, Colonel Ronald Rwivanga, presented to the press a positive assessment after five days of military action. A total of 14 terrorists were killed and two localities in the province of Cabo Delgado recaptured by the troops of the Rwandan contingent from 24 to 28 July 2021.
“Ewasse and Afugi are under our control. Operations are continuing and we are advancing towards the localities still in the hands of the rebels,” said Colonel Rwivanga.
During the fighting between the terrorists and the Rwandan military in Mozambique, several weapons were seized, as well as ammunition, medicines, a laptop and documents written in Swahili.
Rwanda sent a contingent of 1,000 people, including 700 military and 300 police, to Mozambique on 9 July to support efforts to restore the authority of the Mozambican state. The Rwandan troops are to carry out combat and security operations, as well as stabilization and security sector reform.
This deployment was requested by Mozambique. It is based on the good bilateral relations between the two countries. The mission of Rwandan troops in the northern province of Cabo Delgado has no time limit.
Gérard Rugambwa
