Rwanda and Mozambique have reinforced their partnership on security, defense, and trade as both nations push for African led responses to growing threats such as terrorism and instability. During a two day state visit to Kigali, Mozambican President Daniel Chapo and Rwandan President Paul Kagame signed a series of cooperation agreements covering peace, defense, and investment. A central outcome was the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), which gives Rwandan troops a formal legal framework to continue operations in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province. Rwanda first deployed around 1,000 defense personnel in July 2021 to help Mozambican forces combat an Islamic State linked insurgency that has killed thousands and displaced more than 1 million people in northern Mozambique.
President Kagame stressed the importance of African led peace initiatives, warning against overreliance on foreign interventions. “Outsourcing responsibility to external actors cannot build lasting peace,” he said. President Chapo thanked Rwanda for its ongoing support, noting that joint operations have reclaimed key districts in Cabo Delgado, though sporadic militant attacks persist.
Beyond military cooperation, the two leaders signed a memorandum of understanding on trade and investment, linking Rwanda’s Development Board with Mozambique’s Investment and Export Promotion Agency. The deal aims to expand bilateral trade, promote cross border investments, and foster private sector partnerships. Analysts say the deepening ties between Kigali and Maputo highlight a broader trend toward regional solidarity in addressing Africa’s security and economic challenges balancing urgent counterterrorism needs with long-term development goals.
