European Peace Facility: Council tops up support to the deployment of the Rwanda Defence Force

The Council adopted a €20 million top-up to an existing assistance measure under the European Peace Facility to continue supporting the deployment of the Rwanda Defence Force in the Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique.

This support will enable the acquisition of personal equipment, and cover costs related to the strategic airlift needed to sustain the Rwandan deployment in Cabo Delgado.

This deployment started in July 2021 at the request of Mozambican authorities, to support the fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado.

The presence of the Rwanda Defence Force troops has been instrumental to make progress and remains key, especially given the recent withdrawal of the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM). This top-up measure is a testimony of the EU’s support to ‘African solutions for African problems’ and, as part of the global fight against terrorism, it will also serve EU interests in the region.

Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

The additional support adopted today further complements the parallel assistance measure worth €89 million for the Mozambican Armed Forces previously trained by the EU Training Mission (EUTM) Mozambique.

Background

The European Peace Facility was established in March 2021 to finance EU external actions with military or defence implications, with the aim of preventing conflict, preserving peace and strengthening international security and stability. In particular, the EPF allows the EU to finance actions designed to strengthen the capacities of third states and regional and international organizations as regards military and defence matters.