Cabo Delgado: Rwandan and Mozambican presidents take stock of the operation

Rwandan Presidents Paul Kagame (l.) And Mozambican Presidents Filipe Nyusi (r.) In military uniform on September 24, 2021 in Pemba in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique.

© SIMON WOHLFAHRT / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

Visiting Mozambique, Rwandan President Paul Kagame held a press conference this Saturday, September 25 with his counterpart and host, Filipe Nyusi.

This visit follows the dispatch of several hundred Rwandan soldiers who successfully supported the Mozambican army against the insurgency of the jihadists of Ansar al-Sunna in Cabo Delgado.

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With our special

correspondent

in Pemba,

Laure Broulard

Almost three months after

the arrival of Rwandan troops in Cabo Delgado

, the time has come for a first assessment.

“ 

Today, we are not celebrating a victory, only a step taken, 

” said Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi.

Rwandan and Mozambican forces have indeed claimed the recovery of several important strongholds of the jihadists of Ansar al-Sunna, such as Mocimboa da Praia or even Mbau.

The mission continues for the Rwandan army

But the task is far from over, according to the two presidents.

The displaced are numerous, as are the partially or entirely destroyed villages, and the jihadist threat is still strong.

No date therefore yet for the withdrawal of the Rwandan contingent, 1000 strong, which should continue to secure the liberated areas and participate in the consolidation of Mozambican forces alongside other international partners.

The insurgents would be withdrawn in other areas, particularly towards the Quirimbas National Park, further south, where the regional forces of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are deployed.

Asked whether the very expensive operation was not likely to get bogged down without being able to put an end to the insurgency, Rwandan President Paul Kagame replied that he did not see insurmountable problems there.

► Also to listen: Report - Mozambique: in the Quitunda camp, these refugees who cannot return

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  • Rwanda

  • Mozambique

  • Paul Kagame

  • Terrorism

  • Shebabs