Kigali: Mozambican Defence Minister Cristovao Chume and his Rwandan counterpart Juvenal Marizamunda on Wednesday signed a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) in the Rwandan capital, Kigali. The agreement was signed on the first day of a two-day working visit to Rwanda by Mozambican President Daniel Chapo.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Chapo, speaking to reporters at a joint press conference with his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, stated that the document is a relevant instrument for the units of the Rwandan Defense Forces that have been stationed since 2021 in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. These forces have been assisting the Mozambican armed forces (FADM) in the fight against terrorism.
After witnessing the signing of the cooperation agreement, Rwandan President Paul Kagame remarked that violent extremism is a growing threat to African people and development. He emphasized the necessity for Africans to confront the problem as one continent without outsourcing to outside entities. Kagame sta
ted, “That is one of the best investments we can make; outsourcing responsibility to external actors cannot build lasting peace.”
Regarding the trade agreement, Kagame said, “This is a good opportunity to strengthen our business ties for the benefit of both our nations. I am confident that we are on the right path to an excellent partnership that is already growing.” He noted that the two countries share strong bilateral ties with several cooperation frameworks in place, with the priority now being to effectively implement these framework agreements.
Chapo, who arrived in the country earlier on Wednesday, mentioned that his delegation held excellent talks with Kagame on bilateral issues of common interest. He emphasized the need to work together in areas of security and expressed gratitude for the Rwandan forces’ help in combating terrorism in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province.