The European Union (EU) is analyzing a request for additional financial support for Rwandan forces fighting insurgency in Mozambique’s gas-rich Cabo Delgado province.
Jutta Urpilainen, the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, told the press in Maputo on Wednesday, June 19, that the support will soon be approved by the bloc’s member states.
She did not specify the type of support being analyzed, but Bloomberg revealed on Sunday, June 15, that the EU was considering providing €40 million euros ($43 million dollars) for non-lethal equipment and airlifts of Rwandan troops sent to Cabo Delgado.
The officials quoted in the article said that the most influential EU member states supported the proposal, which is due to be discussed by member countries in the coming weeks.
€40 million euros would be double what the EU provided in 2023 to the Rwandan forces, who are stepping up the fight in Cabo Delgado and pushing back the insurgency.
On Wednesday at around 6 p.m. local time, Rwandan forces repelled an insurgent attack on their military position in Mbau, Mocimboa da Praia district. The same happened on June 8.
The two attempted attacks, according to Atlas News sources, are part of a revenge initiative, following the slaughter of dozens of insurgents on May 29, when they tried to attack the town of Mbau.
While the battles continue, Rwanda is reinforcing its mission with around 2,500 extra troops as the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique completes the withdrawal of its forces by mid-July.
The stability of Cabo Delgado is also important for the EU, as it will allow the giant French oil company TotalEnergies to restart work and export gas to Europe, which currently has limited access to the resource, following the impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.