By George Omagbemi Sylvester
The European Union (EU) announced on Thursday, March 12, 2026, that it will stop funding the deployment of Rwandan troops assisting Mozambique in its fight against Islamic State‑linked insurgents in the gas‑rich Cabo Delgado province once existing support measures expire in May 2026. An EU spokesperson stated that the current assistance measures; adopted in 2022 and topped up in 2024 under the European Peace Facility (EPF) are scheduled to expire next month, with no extension planned.
Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) units were deployed in July 2021 at the request of the Mozambican government to counter violent extremist groups destabilising northern Mozambique and threatening foreign energy investments. EU funding has supplied equipment, transport logistics, and strategic support for RDF operations, supplementing regional security efforts following the withdrawal of the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique.
The decision comes as the insurgency remains active in Cabo Delgado, with Islamic State Mozambique militants continuing to launch attacks, highlighting ongoing security risks despite previous gains by pro-government forces. The EU’s withdrawal may force Maputo and Kigali to seek alternative funding or regional arrangements to maintain counter-terrorism operations and protect gas infrastructure.
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