The session, held at the Rwanda Military Academy in Gako, was also attended by Commissioner of Police Vincent B. Sano, Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations.
The contingent, made up of both army and police personnel, will relieve colleagues who have served in the insurgency-hit province over the past year. The new deployment will be commanded by Maj Gen Vincent Gatama.
Maj Gen Nyakarundi conveyed a message from President Paul Kagame, Commander-in-Chief of the RDF, reminding the troops to maintain the discipline and momentum demonstrated since Rwanda first deployed forces to Mozambique in 2021. He commended the achievements of previous contingents, stressing that the same high standards must continue to guide operations.
The troops were reminded that commitment and discipline are essential to the success of operations aimed at supporting the Mozambican state authority through combat operations and security sector reform.
Commissioner of Police Sano, in his remarks, urged the troops to foster teamwork and avoid any misconduct that could damage Rwanda's reputation abroad.
Rwandan troops were first deployed to Cabo Delgado in July 2021 at the request of the Mozambican government, following years of attacks by Islamic State-linked insurgents.
Since then, the joint operations between Rwanda Security Forces and the Mozambican army have significantly weakened the insurgency, restored security in several areas, and enabled thousands of displaced residents to return to their homes.
The latest deployment comes weeks after a visit by Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo to Rwanda, during which a renewed Status of Forces Agreement on the support to fight terrorism in Mozambique was signed. The agreement extends Rwanda's military support in Cabo Delgado province.
'Thanks to this cooperation, we can see peace returning to the region,' President Chapo said, acknowledging Rwanda's role in stabilising Cabo Delgado despite ongoing sporadic attacks.
IGIHE
