Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Army Chief of Staff (ACOS) Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi along with his counterpart, Maj Gen Alberto Diago Nampele, the Army Commander of Mozambican forces (FADM), visited Rwanda Security Force (RSF) deployments in Mocimboa da Praia and Palma districts of Cabo Delgado Province from July 11 to 12.

Earlier this year, Rwanda deployed more soldiers to help fight attacks by Islamic State-linked terrorists in Mozambique’s northernmost province. Kigali bolstered the number of forces in the districts of Palma, Mocimboa da Praia and Ancuabe, with an additional 2,000 troops in order to be able to "flexibly move to other areas and quickly flush out the remnants of terrorists hidden in forests in Mocamia District.

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Nyakarundi and Nampele were welcomed by the Joint Task Force Commander, Maj Gen Alex Kagame, who briefed them on the current security situation and military operations against terrorists in Cabo Delgado, according to a related RDF statement.

As noted, Nyakarundi toured RSF deployments and conveyed a message of appreciation from the RDF Commander-in-Chief, President Paul Kagame, for the achievements made.

"Before meeting the troops, he urged commanders to maintain alertness, intensify defensive and offensive operations," reads the statement.

After the RSF meeting, Nyakarundi visited the Mozambican military base camp in Nacala, in neighbouring province of Nampula, to evaluate preparations for the training of Mozambican forces by the end of July.

ALSO READ: Rwanda, Mozambique armies push southwards, pursue terrorists in Nampula Province

At Maputo’s request, Kigali deployed troops in July 2021 to help fight Islamist terrorists who had, for several years, destabilised Cabo Delgado, a region located on the coast of the Indian Ocean. Barely two weeks after deployment, Rwandan and Mozambican forces were circling major bases of the terrorists, capturing them. By end last year, more than 250,000 people earlier displaced by Islamic State-linked terrorists in the most affected parts of Cabo Delgado had returned to their homes and, sea and air ports were re-opened, thanks to the joint operations by Rwandan and Mozambican armies.

After dislodging the terrorists from major towns and villages, Rwandan and Mozambican troops earlier this year continued to pursue the terrorists farther south, in Nampula Province.

The cross-provincial pursuit of the terrorists by Rwandan and Mozambican troops came at a time when troops from the Southern African Development Community, or the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), reportedly plan to withdraw from their current areas of responsibility by the end of the year.