The sensationalism of Canal de Moçambique and Matias Guente’s misleading narrative

On March 19, 2025, Canal de Moçambique, under the editorship of Matias Guente, ran the headline: “Belgium Retaliates Against Rwandan Operations in Cabo Delgado – End of the Honeymoon Between Rwanda and the EU Hits Mozambique.” This headline, dripping with sensationalism, seeks to whip up an alarmist narrative that simply doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. As a concerned citizen and advocate for responsible journalism, I feel compelled to call out the exaggeration in this approach and dismantle, point by point, the flawed arguments put forward by Guente. ALSO READ: Why Rwanda is bolstering forces in northern Mozambique To begin with, the phrase “end of the honeymoon” is a sensationalist metaphor implying a complete breakdown between Rwanda and the European Union (EU). Yet, the sanctions imposed by the EU on March 17, 2025—targeting nine individuals and one entity linked to Rwanda’s alleged support for the Alliance fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) rebellion in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo)—do not signal the end of relations between Kigali and Brussels. The EU has suspended military consultations and reviewed certain agreements, but diplomatic channels remain open, and Rwanda has already stated that the sanctions will not disrupt its system. ALSO READ: Rwanda will not bear burden of DR Congo's failures – Nduhungirehe to EU top diplomat The diplomatic spat with Belgium, a key backer of the sanctions, is an isolated incident and does not reflect the broader EU stance. The headline, therefore, blows the situation out of proportion, conjuring a crisis that doesn’t exist. Next, the claim that Mozambique has been “hit” is an unfounded leap. Guente suggests that Belgium’s withdrawal of support for Rwandan operations in Cabo Delgado will have an immediate and direct impact on Mozambique, but he offers no solid evidence to back this up. Rwanda has had around 2,500 troops in Cabo Delgado since 2021, and this partnership—largely funded by Mozambique and Rwanda itself—does not rely heavily on European support. Moreover, the EU as a whole continues to back Mozambique’s fight against terrorism, with a €800 million investment across various sectors, including military training. As of March 19, 2025, there is no record of Rwandan troops pulling out or cooperation being halted, rendering Guente’s narrative alarmist and baseless. ALSO READ: A historical timeline of Belgium's divisive politics in Rwanda Another glaring flaw is the omission of the regional context and the resilience of the Mozambique-Rwanda partnership. Guente overlooks the fact that this collaboration is driven by mutual security interests, and Mozambique has other allies, such as Tanzania, to fall back on. The EU, for its part, approved €20 million in funding for Rwandan security forces in Cabo Delgado, in November 2024, acknowledging their “crucial” role. This support directly contradicts the notion of an “end of the honeymoon” and shows that, despite tensions, the EU-Rwanda relationship is far from broken, nor does it directly affect Mozambique in the short term. Finally, Guente’s approach reflects a pattern of sensationalism that undermines the credibility of Canal de Moçambique. The outlet has a history of provocative headlines, but also of controversies that raise questions about its conduct, including legal battles over alleged defamation. While such incidents are deplorable, resorting to alarmist headlines without balanced analysis smacks more of a bid for attention than a genuine effort to inform. ALSO READ: Brussels' posture against Rwanda is 'profoundly irresponsible', says ex-Belgian senator In short, the Canal de Moçambique headline is a textbook case of sensationalism that distorts reality and overstates the impact of EU sanctions on Rwanda. Matias Guente fails to substantiate his claims and ignores the strength of the Mozambique-Rwanda partnership, as well as the EU’s ongoing support for Maputo. Journalism should inform with integrity, not fuel misleading narratives that stoke fear and misinformation. Mozambique deserves a more serious and less sensationalist debate about its security challenges. The author is a Mozambican lawmaker, historian and communication strategist.

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The sensationalism of Canal de Moçambique and Matias Guente’s misleading narrative