Terrorists' end near: Rwanda cabinet briefed on troops’ good progress in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado

An extraordinary cabinet meeting in Rwanda was on Wednesday August 18 was briefed on current regional dynamics including the deployment of Rwandan troops to the Central African Republic (CAR) and especially Mozambique where Rwandans are helping rout out extremists linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

It was noted that in Mozambique, Rwandan forces alongside Mozambican forces had “made good progress” recently In dislodging insurgent forces in key areas of Cabo Delgado Province, which has led to increased security in the region.

Also noted was that, in the spirit of African solidarity and South-South cooperation, the government of Rwanda would continue to collaborate with the government of Mozambique as well as other partners in the next phases of stabilisation and development.

In April, Mozambican president, Filipe Nyusi, flew to Kigali and requested President Paul Kagame for military support to help fight off IS insurgents who, for some years, had terrorized the province of Cabo Delgado, cutting off some of the country's vital cities and seaports.

Kigali listened and readied to send in troops with one clear-cut mission - to support efforts to restore Mozambican state authority by conducting combat and security operations, as well as stabilization and security-sector reform.

On July 9, the deployment to Mozambique of a 1,000-person contingent of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and the Rwanda National Police (RNP) was started to help fight insurgents in Cabo Delgado. Rwanda’s move was praised by many including President Nyusi who, in a state of the nation address, explained that Rwandan forces would be in the country under a bilateral security agreement.

Nyusi said: “Rwanda's participation - [in the restoration of peace and stability in Cabo Delgado] - is part of the principle of solidarity for a noble and common cause.” “It is about saving human lives, and preventing the destruction of public and private property and infrastructure."

The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Amb Moussa Faki Mahamat, also commended Kigali for the intervention which he described "as a strong and concrete act of African solidarity to support a fellow Member State fight terrorism and insecurity." After one month, RDF and the Mozambican military have recaptured much of the territory, including Mocímboa da Praia, a vital seaport that served as the terrorist headquarters and supply route.

Immediately after they landed, Rwanda's troops quickly connected with their Mozambican counterparts and entered the fight.  Their impact was immediate as the joint Rwanda-Mozambique offensive, from multiple fronts, overwhelmed the insurgents. Rwandan and Mozambican troops successfully seized territory along the important N380 highway, retaking the strategic towns of Diaca, Awasse and the port of Mocimboa da Praia in under a month and continued to comb through the remaining few areas where the remaining terrorists are located.

By and large, the capture of Mocimboa da Praia marked the end of the first phase of counter-insurgency operations. Rwandan and Mozambican forces are now focused on continuing with security operations to completely pacify areas under their control hoping that displaced people will soon be able to return to their homes.