Kigali, Rwanda — The Government of Rwanda has clarified its position regarding the possible withdrawal of its troops from Mozambique, emphasizing that its continued military presence in the northern province of Cabo Delgado depends on sustained support and recognition from international partners.
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, stated that Rwandan forces cannot indefinitely continue the fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado if financial support from the European Union (EU) is discontinued while the country’s military efforts face ongoing criticism and pressure from segments of the international community.
The minister made the remarks on Monday, March 16, 2026, in a statement released by Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The role of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) in Cabo Delgado has recently drawn renewed attention following a report by Bloomberg, which indicated that the €20 million support package provided by the European Union for the mission is expected to end in May 2026, with no current plans for renewal.
In response to those reports, Rwandan Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo and Minister Nduhungirehe highlighted the scale of Rwanda’s contribution to the mission, noting that Kigali is prepared to reconsider its participation if its efforts continue to be undervalued or if EU financial support is withdrawn.
However, in Monday’s statement, Minister Nduhungirehe clarified that Rwanda has not taken a final decision to end its deployment, explaining that the government’s message was intended as a reminder of the conditions surrounding its participation.
“It is not a decision that we have taken,” Nduhungirehe said. “Rather, it is a principle we wanted to remind people of. In July 2021, Rwanda deployed troops to Mozambique at the invitation of the government of that friendly country. The troops were sent to Cabo Delgado in northern Mozambique to combat the terrorist group Ansar al-Sunna, which is linked to the Islamic State.”
Since their deployment, Rwandan forces have played a central role in stabilizing the region, according to the minister. Their presence helped restore security in areas that had been heavily affected by insurgent attacks.
“Over the past four to five years, they have carried out remarkable work,” he said. “Civilians have returned to their homes, students have gone back to school, businesses have reopened, and major gas investments have resumed as companies returned to operate. All of this was achieved by Rwandan troops working together with the Mozambican armed forces, with support from the European Union.”
Rwanda Highlights Its Contribution
Minister Nduhungirehe stressed that the statement issued by the Rwandan government was meant to remind the international community of the significant sacrifices and contributions Rwanda has made in the mission.
“We reminded them that Rwanda has made a major contribution,” he said. “We have invested financial resources that are ten times greater than the support we receive from the European Union. We have also lost soldiers on the battlefield to ensure stability in that region.”
He emphasized that Rwandan troops cannot continue operating under conditions where their efforts are constantly questioned or where they face sanctions and criticism.
“Our troops are serving Mozambique, the people of Mozambique, and the broader international community, including companies investing in the region,” he said. “They cannot continue performing this mission while constantly being criticized, sanctioned, and treated with suspicion.”
Future of the Mission
According to the foreign minister, Rwanda remains committed to the mission as long as international support continues and the contributions of its forces are recognized.
“This situation cannot continue indefinitely,” Nduhungirehe said. “That is why we reminded everyone that Rwanda will continue carrying out the mission it was asked to perform as long as the support it receives continues. If that support stops, it is clear that we will withdraw from Mozambique, and other countries will have to provide troops or take over the mission.”
Rwandan forces were first deployed to Cabo Delgado in July 2021 following a request from the Mozambican government, which sought assistance in confronting insurgent groups responsible for destabilizing the province since 2017.
Since the initial deployment, multiple rotations of Rwandan soldiers and police officers have been sent to support the counterterrorism mission.
On March 13, 2026, the leadership of the Rwanda Defence Force announced that preparations are currently underway to rotate personnel who have served for more than a year in the mission, as part of routine operational adjustments.
The future of Rwanda’s deployment in Cabo Delgado is expected to remain closely watched as discussions continue regarding the continuation of international support for the mission.
