The Minister of National Defense, Cristóvão Chume, has denied reports of the arrival of an additional military contingent from Rwanda in Cabo Delgado province to support the Mozambican Defense and Security Forces in the fight against terrorism.

He explained to journalists that Rwandan troops are sent to Mozambique on a regular basis whenever there is an intention to "refresh" the contingent on the ground. In fact, he said that the replacement of troops in the Northern Operational Theater even takes place with Mozambican soldiers deployed on missions.

"I'm not confirming the arrival of more personnel from the Rwandan Defense and Security Forces. I am confirming that the troops who were here at the start of the Rwandan Mission in Mozambique have always had a moment to change, just like our troops who are deployed on the ground, there is a moment to refresh. So these moments occur from time to time," he clarified, to dispel the idea of an increase in Rwandan affection in the country.

Rwanda sent a contingent of more than 2,000 soldiers to fight terrorism in Cabo Delgado province in 2021, following an agreement between the governments of the two countries.

"We have never asked for more troops to be sent. We are working with them, but also with other nations on the ground," he said.

In November 2024, the Council of the European Union (EU) approved an additional 20 million euros in support for the Rwandan forces fighting terrorism in Cabo Delgado.

Since October 2017, the province of Cabo Delgado has been dealing with the phenomenon of terrorism, whose attacks have been claimed by the Islamic State. 

Chume was speaking to journalists at the Center for Strategic Analysis of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries, on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony for the new Director, Captain João Carlos Pires.