KIGALI, Rwanda – Rwanda will continue its military support to Mozambique after President Paul Kagame and Mozambican President Daniel Chapo signed new cooperation agreements during Chapo’s two-day official visit to Kigali.
The two leaders finalized a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), which legally formalizes the continued presence of Rwandan troops in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, where Rwanda has been helping fight Islamist insurgents since 2021.
Rwanda first deployed over 1,000 soldiers and police officers to Mozambique in July 2021 after militants linked to the Islamic State captured Palma, a strategic town near multibillion-dollar natural gas projects led by TotalEnergies. The mission was seen as critical in pushing back insurgents who had destabilized the region for years.
Since then, Rwandan forces have worked alongside Mozambican troops and forces from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to regain control of key areas. Mozambique’s government has repeatedly praised Rwanda’s efforts, calling them “decisive” in restoring peace and stability.
In addition to the military deal, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Rwanda Development Board and Mozambique’s Investment and Export Promotion Agency. The goal is to increase trade, investment, and private sector partnerships between the two nations.
“In Kigali, we held productive talks that confirmed the excellent cooperation between our two countries,” said President Chapo, who took office earlier this year and was making his first official visit to Rwanda.
The agreements show that Rwanda and Mozambique are working to expand their relationship beyond military matters, focusing more on economic growth, regional stability, and long-term collaboration.
This latest move reinforces Rwanda’s reputation as a trusted security partner in Africa. Besides Mozambique, Rwanda also has troops deployed in the Central African Republic, where they help maintain peace under bilateral agreements.
President Kagame emphasized that the visit “reaffirmed the shared commitment to strengthen the existing fruitful collaboration for the benefit of the people of Rwanda and Mozambique.”
With these new agreements, Rwanda is not only cementing its role as a stabilizing force in the region but also expanding its diplomatic and economic footprint in Southern Africa. Mozambique, in turn, secures ongoing military support in a critical region and opens new doors for investment and trade growth.
As Cabo Delgado continues to recover from years of violence, the strengthened partnership offers hope for long-term peace, development, and prosperity in both countries.
