Rwandan Security Forces Join Mozambican Communities in Sports Event to Promote Unity and Stability

Mocímboa da Praia, Mozambique - December 21, 2023

Members of the Rwandan Security Forces (RSF) deployed in Cabo Delgado Province participated in a community sports event alongside residents and local authorities, highlighting growing civil-military cooperation in northern Mozambique.

The event, organized by the Mocímboa da Praia City Council, brought together security personnel, community members, and local leaders with the aim of strengthening unity, cooperation, and social cohesion between government institutions and the population. It also served as a celebration of the improved security situation in the area and underscored the role of sports in promoting public health and well-being.

Addressing participants after the activities, local leaders emphasized that such initiatives help build trust, encourage collaboration, and support the overall welfare of communities emerging from years of insecurity.

Speaking on behalf of the Rwandan Security Forces, ACP Bertin Mutezintare reaffirmed the RSF’s commitment to working closely with the local population on security matters and broader public initiatives.

“We believe in close cooperation with the population,” he said, expressing the RSF’s intention to expand community sports activities across the province as a means of strengthening relations with civilians.

The Mayor of Mocímboa da Praia, Helena Bandeila, praised both the Rwandan and Mozambican Security Forces for their decisive role in restoring peace and stability in Cabo Delgado. She also called on local leaders to encourage residents to take part in weekly public sports activities, stressing that regular physical exercise is vital for maintaining good health.

Since July 2021, Rwandan and Mozambican forces have jointly conducted operations against terrorist groups, particularly the Ansar al-Sunnah movement, which had severely destabilized Cabo Delgado. According to officials, these operations have successfully dislodged insurgents from key positions, pursued them into forested areas, and significantly reduced their capacity.

Following the restoration of security, displaced populations have gradually returned to their homes, resuming livelihoods and local development activities.

In a further sign of deepening bilateral ties, the governments of Rwanda and Mozambique renewed cooperation agreements in August 2025, covering investment and counter-terrorism, reinforcing their long-term partnership in regional security and development.