Rwandan soldiers from Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) and Rwandan policemen prepare to board a “Rwandair” plane for a military mission to Mozambique at Kanombe airport, Kigali, Rwanda. (Photo by SIMON WOHLFAHRT/AFP via Getty Images)
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UPDATED 8:30 AM PT – Sunday, July 11, 2021
Rwanda dispatched 1,000 troops to Mozambique to help the East African nation combat Islamic state-linked jihadists. Rwandan officials recently announced the move after a request from the Mozambican government in an effort to turn away jihadists who threaten to topple the nation.
The troops are reportedly from both the Rwandan military and police force who’ve been trained to “deal with terrorism and security-related issues”. The joint forces were set to deploy in full on Saturday.
Rwanda deploys joint force to Mozambique. Read full statement and background here: https://t.co/ezhoBGZyG5 pic.twitter.com/JexdejubEB
— Government of Rwanda (@RwandaGov) July 9, 2021
“The purpose of this mission first of all is based on a request by the government of Mozambique to the government of Rwanda to help support in conducting military operations including security operations,” Col. Ronald Rwivanga of Rwanda Defense Forces explained. “….This was a request by the government of Mozambique to the government of Rwanda and this is part of a bilateral agreement since 2019.”
The move comes after nearly 3,000 people have died as well as 800,000 people displaced due to a turf war over the oil-rich region. Human rights activists fear the conflict would create an artificial food crisis for those living under the terrorist regime.
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