By MOZTIMES
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – The European Union has extended the mandate of its military mission in Mozambique for a further six months, at a time when pockets of insecurity persist in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, and international efforts are increasing to consolidate the operational capacity of the Mozambican armed forces.
The Council of the European Union announced its decision through a statement issued on Thursday, which extends the mandate of the EU’s Military Assistance Mission in Mozambique (EUMAM MOZ) to December 2026, strengthening European support for the rapid reaction forces involved in fighting the armed insurgency in the north of the country.
According to the EU statement, the extension meets the need “to continue developing programmes to upgrade the Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM)”, with particular stress on the Rapid Reaction Forces, logistics and operational sustainability.
“Extending the current mandate is connected to the need to continue developing programmes to build the capacity of the FADM, focusing on the Rapid Reaction Forces, in their operational cycle, logistics and maintenance, contributing to their sustainability and self-sufficiency”, the statement said.
Since the start of the mandate of EUMAM MOZ, in September 2024, the European mission has undertaken more than 40 training programmes, involving about 1,200 Mozambican soldiers, including some 300 who are currently on operational regeneration programmes of the Commando and Marine units.
The numbers show the depth of the European involvement in Mozambican military restructuring, in a context in which sporadic attacks by insurgent groups continue to be reported in Cabo Delgado districts, despite the military operations undertaken by the FADM and its Rwandan allies.
“Hence, the European Union in general, and EUMAM MOZ in particular, are showing their strong commitment to support Mozambique and the FADM in promoting peace in Cabo Delgado”, adds the EU statement.
The European mission states that its activities include strategic areas, such as command and control, the training of instructors, maintenance and transport, strategic communication, civilian-military cooperation and institutional advice to the FADM General Staff.
The programmes also include the components of International Humanitarian Law, human rights and the inclusion of a gender perspective in military operations.
Although EUMAM MOZ does not participate directly in combat operations, Brussels regards boosting the capacities of the Mozambican forces as essential to guarantee lasting stability in Cabo Delgado, a province rich in natural gas but devastated by an insurgency which has caused thousands of deaths and displaced more than a million people since 2017.
“EUMAM MOZ is a non-executive mission which seeks to assist the FADM in the development and strengthening of its capacities”, continues the statement, adding that the goal is to ensure that the Mozambican forces implement and sustain the operational cycle of the Rapid Reaction Forces.
The mission includes more than 80 soldiers and civilians from 11 EU member states, including Portugal, France, Spain and Italy, as well as Serbia, which is not a member of the EU.
The extension of the mission is occurring at a phase in which international partners are trying to avoid the resurgence of extremist violence in Cabo Delgado, after recent reports of insurgent movements in some rural parts of the province. (MT)
