PRESS RELEASE: CEUMC VISIT TO MOZAMBIQUE

27^th January 2023 - Gen Robert Brieger, Chairman of EU Military Committee (CEUMC), concluded a 2-day visit to the EU CSDP Training Mission in Mozambique, today.

"I was truly eager to get a personal impression, from the ground, of the excellent job done by the Mission Force Headquarter and its Training Field in Katembe. - said General Brieger landing in Maputo - This is the most distant mission from Brussels (almost 9,000 kilometres!) and yet so close and relevant to EU interests."

In Mozambique, CEUMC had the opportunity to meet with the Mission Force Commander, Commodore Martins de Brito (PT Navy Marines) and his staff, and visit the Katembe Training Camp. Witnessing the high-level quality of training provided by EUTM, Gen Brieger highlighted the key role played by the mission in supporting a more efficient and effective response by the Mozambican armed forces to the crisis in Cabo Delgado, in compliance with human rights and international humanitarian law. Additionally, the mission focusses on preparation for protection of civilians, including gender-related issues, and specific training on Women, Peace and Security.

CEUMC had also a very fruitful meeting with the Mozambique Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Admiral Joaquim Mangrasse, and the Head of EUDEL to Mozambique, Amb. Antonino Maggiore, discussing political, military and civilian developments in the country and its neighbourhood.

"We must be very proud of what we are accomplishing in this part of the world. EU is a longstanding partner in the region. We are all extremely committed to delivering a comprehensive support - military and civilian - to help the country and its people overcome current multiple challenges. EUTM Mozambique is just one example of this commitment, contributing to the improvement of security, which remains a fundamental pre-requisite for all other development instruments to come into play."

Background info:

Cabo Delgado (CD) is the northernmost province of Mozambique. Since 2017, the province has been affected by increased levels of violence linked to actions by armed groups and attacks claimed by the Islamic State. As a result, the security and humanitarian situation has deteriorated, causing suffering to the population and threatening the stability of the area and its economic development. Attacks dramatically increased during 2020, leading to a significant increase in displacement, with over 800,000 internally displaced persons (IDP). At least 2600 people are believed to have been killed. An EEAS Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) was conducted in Maputo, Mozambique, from 19 to 28 May 2021. During this EEAS FFM, the Mozambican authorities confirmed their acceptance of the deployment of a non-executive military CSDP Mission in Mozambique. Mozambican government interlocutors also agreed on the broad objective and mandate of the non-executive military CSDP Mission, built around the Portuguese bilateral support to specialised armed forces units to help the Defence and Security Forces bring a more efficient and effective response to the crisis in CD. Their expectation is that the military CSDP Mission will support the rapid development of a Mozambican Quick Reaction Force capability to contain, disrupt and reduce the level of threat in CD. In this manner, the mission will contribute to the creation of a stable environment in CD and enable follow-up engagement by the Mozambican authorities through locally owned integrated plans. The mission counts on additional support under the European Peace Facility (EPF) aimed at providing nonlethal equipment to the units trained by EUTM, namely: individual equipment for soldiers including protective assets, collective equipment at company level, ground mobility assets, and technical devices.

Website: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eutm-mozambique_en

Twitter: @EUTMMozambique

Facebook: EUTM Mozambique