Rwanda, through its defence forces, is deploying troops to Mozambique to support efforts to combat an insurgency backed by the Islamic State. The European Union recently announced that it would provide €20 million in financial assistance to support this mission, doubling the amount previously pledged in 2022.
For three years, Rwandan forces have played a crucial role in keeping the insurgency at bay, helping to stabilise the region where fighting has disrupted a liquefied natural gas export project. According to Josep Borrell, Vice-President of the European Commission, the presence of Rwandan defence troops has been crucial to progress and remains essential for the continuation of operations in Mozambique.
This allocation of EU funds is seen as a show of support for “African solutions to African problems”. However, despite anticipation of the agreement, tensions have emerged, particularly due to a condition issued by Belgium. Indeed, the latter reiterated its condemnation of allegations that Rwandan troops supported the M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Earlier this year, a United Nations report accused Rwanda of aiding the M23 rebel group in its fight against Congolese forces in eastern DRC. This alleged involvement highlights a complex context in which the intervention of Rwandan forces in Mozambique takes place.
Thus, despite the importance of the action of Rwandan troops in the region, concerns remain about the political ramifications of their involvement in other conflicts in Africa. The need for a targeted intervention to combat the insurgency while respecting the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of neighboring states remains a critical issue to monitor.