The Council of the European Union (EU) announced on Tuesday the extension of the military training mission in Mozambique until June 30, 2026, with a planned budget of 14 million euros for the next two years.
In a statement, Brussels announced that it would also “adapt strategic mission objectives” due to changing circumstances, “thus moving from a training model to an assistance model,” with advice and “specialized training” for the Response Force. Rapida (QRF) and the Armed Defense Forces of Mozambique (FADM).
Following this strategic change, the EU will rename the mission the EU Military Assistance Mission in Mozambique (EUMAM Mozambique) from 1 September 2024.
The European Union Training Mission in Mozambique (EUTM-MOZ), led by Portugal, has trained more than 1,650 Mozambican special forces soldiers already fighting terrorism in Cabo Delgado.
“To date, we have trained just over 1,650 special forces personnel, whether Marine or Commando. […]. We have also trained more than a hundred instructors,” explained Portuguese Air Force Brigadier General João Gonçalves, who heads EUTM-MOZ, on the sidelines of a ceremony that heralded Europe Day in Maputo on Thursday.
“We are enabling FADMs with trainers to be autonomous and continue to support that training cycle and the life cycle of the QRF itself. [11 Forças de Reação Rápida já formadas]”because they need to be revived,” he added, stressing that the training provided is “considered suitable” by the FADM themselves “for this type of insurgency” in Cabo Delgado, in the north of the country.
Mozambican commandos and marines trained by EUTM-MOZ are already on the ground while the withdrawal of military forces from southern African countries that have supported Mozambique in the fight against terrorism continues.
“We believe that the training and numbers of soldiers we train are critical in how we approach the conflict in Cabo Delgado,” he stressed, also acknowledging the “very positive” impact of these soldiers on the ground.
The EUTM-MOZ training mission includes 119 soldiers from 13 member states, more than half of them from Portugal, but its special feature is the integration of two other countries outside the European Union that provide one soldier each, such as Serbia and Cape Green .
Through the European Peace Mechanism, the European Union has also supported the Mozambican Armed Forces with €89 million for the purchase of non-lethal equipment for units trained by EUTM-MOZ.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.