The European Union Military Assistance Mission in Mozambique (EUMAM-MOZ) has trained approximately 2,000 Mozambican soldiers over the past two years, through more than 70 capacity-building programmes designed to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Mozambican Armed Defence Forces (FADM).
According to information released on Wednesday by the mission, the activities covered areas including leadership, logistics, legal and gender advisory services, civil-military cooperation, healthcare, military engineering, counter-terrorism, and communications.
EUMAM-MOZ, which is led by Portugal, marked the second anniversary of its establishment by highlighting the work carried out in coordination with the FADM, particularly in reinforcing the sustainability of the Rapid Reaction Forces previously trained by the EU Training Mission in Mozambique (EUTM-MOZ). 'In two years, more than 70 programmes were conducted, involving approximately 2,000 Mozambican soldiers,' the mission said, as quoted by Lusa.
Over the past year, European assistance focused on accompanying the different phases of the Rapid Reaction Forces' operational cycle — including preparation, deployment, and regeneration — with particular attention to units engaged in operations in Cabo Delgado. The province has faced an armed insurgency since 2017, sustaining the need to strengthen national forces' capabilities to ensure greater operational autonomy and sustainability of interventions on the ground.
According to the European mission, mentoring, advisory, and specialised training activities helped reinforce procedures at different command levels and contributed to maintaining the FADM's operational readiness. The Council of the European Union decided in May this year to extend EUMAM-MOZ's mandate until 31 December 2026. Mozambique, however, intends to seek a further two-year extension of the mission beyond that date.
In July, President Daniel Chapo stated that the government was in negotiations to secure the continuation of European support, describing cooperation in this area as important for strengthening national defence capabilities.
EU support to Mozambican forces has also included approximately €89 million made available through the European Peace Facility for the acquisition of non-lethal equipment and logistical support destined for 11 Rapid Reaction companies trained by EUTM-MOZ.
EUMAM-MOZ is expected to continue providing assistance to the FADM until the end of its current mandate, seeking to consolidate the capabilities developed and increase the autonomy of Mozambican units in security and defence operations.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/09/02/desenvolvimento-2/missao-da-ue-formou-cerca-de-2-mil-militares-mocambicanos-desde-2024/
