Cabo Delgado, Mozambique – Rwanda has confirmed that more than 6,300 of its troops are currently deployed in Cabo Delgado in northern Mozambique and says continued operations will depend on a sustainable financing framework.
Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo, speaking on her official X account, said Rwanda has borne most of the financial burden since the initial deployment of about 2,000 troops in 2021. The number has since tripled following the expansion of operations and the withdrawal of the SADC Mission in Mozambique in 2024.
“Rwanda has consistently maintained that the long term deployment of our security forces in joint counterterrorism operations in Mozambique requires a sustainable financing framework. Having so far shouldered the bulk of the financial burden of these operations, a transition to more equitable funding is a strategic necessity,” she said. 
Makolo dismissed reports from international media regarding negotiations with the United States and the European Union, stating that funding responsibility rests with Mozambique and its partners.
“Rwanda has not and will not seek additional funds from the European Peace Facility; that is a matter for Mozambique. Rwanda’s deployment requires sustainable financing, and it is up to the host government and its partners with major investments in Cabo Delgado to provide for that, as it has always been. Otherwise, Rwanda is satisfied to have been able to contribute together with our Mozambican allies in defeating the terrorists, securing the residents of Cabo Delgado and allowing for investments to roll out,” she added.
The European Union’s financial support for the mission is expected to end in May after 36 months and 40 million euros in disbursements. The United States, which supports the TotalEnergies led liquefied natural gas project in Cabo Delgado, has imposed sanctions on the Rwandan Defence Forces in connection with the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Rwandan Foreign Affairs Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe also warned that troops would withdraw if funding guarantees are not secured.
“It’s not that ‘Rwanda could withdraw’, it’s that ‘Rwanda WILL withdraw’ its troops from Mozambique, if sustainable funding is not secured for its counter terrorism operations in Cabo Delgado.,” he wrote on X.
He added that Rwanda had invested heavily in stabilising the region.
“We didn’t pay hundreds of millions of dollars and our RDF soldiers didn’t pay the ultimate sacrifice to stabilize this region, allow IDPs to return home, children to go back to school, businesses to reopen, and mega investments in LNG to resume, just to see our valiant soldiers being constantly questioned, vilified, criticised, blamed or sanctioned by the very countries that greatly benefit from our intervention in Mozambique.
Indeed, we are ready to leave Mozambique, if our work and achievements are not appreciated.”
Since October 2017, Cabo Delgado has faced an armed insurgency by groups linked to the Islamic State, with more than 6,500 deaths reported. Rwandan forces have worked alongside Mozambican troops, particularly in securing areas around the gas projects, allowing construction to resume in January after years of suspension due to attacks.
EU officials have indicated that no negotiations are currently underway to extend support beyond May.
