MOZAMBICAN DEFENCE MINISTER MEETS RWANDAN COUNTERPART TO STRENGTHEN COOPERATION

The Minister of National Defence of Mozambique, Honourable Major General Cristóvão Artur Chume along with Mozambican Armed Forces, Army Commander Maj Gen André Rafael Mahunguane and CP Fabião Pedro Nhancololo, Commander of Law and Order service of National Police of the Republic of Mozambique are in Rwanda for a three-day working visit aimed at strengthening the existing defence cooperation.

Honourable Cristóvão Artur Chume and his delegation visited the Rwanda Defence Force Headquarters, where he held a meeting with the Minister of Defence, Honourable Juvenal Marizamunda, together with the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, General MK Mubarakh. The Minister and his delegation also held bilateral talks with MOD and RDF leadership.

The Mozambican delegation was briefed on regional security dynamics including Rwanda’s contribution to Peace and Security on the African continent and beyond.

Following the meeting, Minister Cristóvão Artur Chume told the media that the visit mainly focused on strengthening defence and security cooperation with Rwanda, stressing that Rwanda is a key partner to Mozambique in various domains, including defence and socio-economic development.

He further noted that the joint operations conducted alongside Rwanda Security Forces in Cabo Delgado had significantly contributed to restoring stability in the province, enabling displaced persons to return to their homes. He emphasised that the operations will further degrade the insurgency. He commended the courage and sacrifice of Rwanda Security Forces in support of the Mozambican people.

In addition to joint operations, Minister Cristóvão stated that Mozambique and Rwanda cooperate in other defence domains, including training and the exchange of intelligence. “Our common threat in the region remains terrorism,” he said.

Minister Cristóvão Artur Chume and his delegation also visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where they paid tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and later toured the Campaign against Genocide Museum.