This Monday, December 11, the government expressed its interest to the European Union (EU) in renewing the Military Training Mission for the Armed Defence Forces of Mozambique – FADM (EUTM), adapting it to the new needs identified.
According to the Mozambican Information Agency, the EU’s support for the country, through the EUTM, is part of efforts to combat terrorism, which mainly affects some districts in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.
Mozambique’s interest in renewing the mission was conveyed during the 34th Session of the Political Dialogue between the Government of Mozambique and the EU, held in Maputo, where the government thanked the EU for its support.
A joint communiqué issued at the end of the session explains that the parties reviewed developments since the dialogue took place in June 2023, in the city of Tete, central Mozambique, highlighting the progress made in the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) process and the security situation in Cabo Delgado.
Regarding the situation in that province, according to the communiqué sent to AIM, the parties welcomed “the positive developments on the ground, evidenced by the gradual return of the populations to their residential areas and the progressive resumption of economic and social activities.”
“The two delegations maintained a frank and open dialogue on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest, following a jointly agreed agenda. Mozambique and the European Union reaffirmed on this occasion the importance, depth and breadth of their partnership,” said the joint communiqué.
The two delegations welcomed the holding of the First Mozambique-European Union Global Gateway Investment Forum, considering it a success at all levels, as well as the business and investment opportunities arising from the Global Gateway Strategy in the Mozambican context, and agreed to monitor and follow up on the results of the event.
“The delegations from the Government of the Republic of Mozambique and the European Union also discussed peace and security issues in the regional and global context, with a focus on the current conflicts in Africa, Europe and the Middle East,” the document states.
During the session, the government delegation shared with the EU the priorities for the second presidency of the United Nations Security Council and the outlook until the end of the mandate as a non-permanent member of that body.
“The European Union congratulated Mozambique on the commitment it has shown in the first year of its mandate and offered to continue collaborating until the end of its term,” it emphasised.
The session took place under the theme “Mozambique and the European Union: a consolidated Political Dialogue, elevated to a Partnership Dialogue”.
