The Government of Rwanda has responded to reports that the European Union may halt financial support for Rwandan troops deployed in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province to fight terrorism.
The Government Spokesperson, Yolande Makolo, said the sustainability of Rwanda’s bilateral counter-terrorism deployment in Mozambique depends on adequate and predictable funding.
In a statement posted on her official X account, Makolo explained that the European Peace Facility partly finances the deployment, noting that around €20 million has so far been disbursed.
"The full cost to the Rwanda Government is at least 10 times more, in addition to the ultimate sacrifice of loss of soldiers’ lives, all to stabilize Cabo Delgado,” she said.
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Her statement came in response to reports indicating that the European Union’s financial support for Rwandan troops helping to fight an Islamic State-linked insurgency in Cabo Delgado will expire in May, with no plans to extend it.
Makolo stressed that Rwanda deployed its forces to the province in 2021 at the request of the government of Mozambique, emphasising that the decision was motivated by solidarity with a fellow African nation rather than financial considerations.
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She pointed to what she described as tangible results from the deployment, including the return of civilians to their homes, the reopening of schools and businesses, and the protection of major foreign investments in the region.
"To be clear, the work of RDF in countering terrorism in Cabo Delgado has benefitted the Mozambican people and the companies investing in LNG, and supporting that work is not a favor being granted to Rwanda,” she said.
Makolo also noted that if Rwanda’s military leadership determines that the contribution of the Rwandan forces is not appreciated, they could advise the government to end the bilateral counter-terrorism arrangement and withdraw the troops.
Rwanda deployed troops to Cabo Delgado in July 2021 following a request from the government of Mozambique to help combat an insurgency linked to the Islamic State.
In November 2024, the European Union approved an additional €20 million support package for the operations of the Rwanda Defence Force in the province.
The funding, announced on November 18, was a top-up to another €20 million package approved in December 2022 to support the Rwandan troops operating in the region.