Mozambique graduates 525 soldiers trained by RDF
Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo, who also serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the country’s armed forces (FADM), has commended Rwanda for its continued support in building peace and stability in Mozambique, particularly through military cooperation.
On Friday, President Chapo presided over the graduation ceremony of 525 Mozambican soldiers who completed a six-month intensive training programme conducted by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF). The training, focused on ground combat operations, took place at the Nacala training centre in northern Mozambique’s Nampula province.
Addressing the graduates and invited officials, President Chapo extended his gratitude to Rwandan President Paul Kagame and the RDF, describing their contribution as crucial to Mozambique’s fight against terrorism.
“This is the first time since 2011 that such high-level training has been conducted in our country — the last was by the US Army. It is a rare privilege to have a friendly nation build the capacity of our own forces. On behalf of FADM and all Mozambicans, we are truly thankful,” Chapo said.
The Rwandan military has been active in Mozambique since July 2021, when it deployed over 1,000 troops and police officers to help combat Islamist insurgents in the Cabo Delgado region.
Major General Emmy Ruvusha, the RDF Commander in Mozambique, also addressed the ceremony, acknowledging the cooperation of Mozambican authorities and encouraging the graduating soldiers to apply their knowledge in the field.
“Training never ends. Use what you have learned to protect your country. You’ve shown commitment and discipline, but now the real work begins,” Maj Gen Ruvusha said.
The training covered counterterrorism tactics, urban warfare, hostage rescue, intelligence gathering, and rapid response operations. The graduating class included six women, marking a step forward in gender inclusion in Mozambique’s military.
As insurgent threats in Cabo Delgado are gradually contained, RDF operations in Mozambique have shifted focus from direct combat to capacity-building — helping prepare local forces to assume full responsibility for national security.
Mozambique has been battling armed extremist groups since 2017, with thousands killed and hundreds of thousands displaced. The Rwandan mission is widely seen as one of the most effective regional responses to the crisis.
