Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi on Saturday, September 25, thanked the people of Rwanda and President Paul Kagame for having quickly understood his country’s need for help and acted accordingly to help thwart a threat posed by terrorists.
On behalf of the Mozambican people, Nyusi said, he wished to "devote our sincere congratulations and gratitude” to Rwandan troops deployed in Mozambique’s northernmost Province of Cabo "in the presence of our brother President Paul Kagame, their Commander in Chief.”
Nyusi said: "President Kagame has soon understood the suffering of the Mozambican people, particularly the people of Cabo Delgado and decided to give the best of his people to help Mozambique.
"Thank you, Mr President, the people of Mozambique know that the sacrifice they consented is priceless.”
The Mozambican leader made the remarks during a speech at a Military Ceremony for Armed Forces Day at Pemba Municipal Stadium where he had invited President Kagame as guest of honour.
"We are witnessing here the remarkable engagement of our Defence Forces with the solidarity of troops from friendly nations, namely the Rwandan Defence and Security forces , which, since the beginning of July have been in the forests of Cabo Delgado leaving no stone unturned. Let us applaud their combative spirit in the pursuit of terrorists.”
On July 9, Kigali, at the request of Maputo, deployed 1,000 troops to Cabo Delgado to help fight the terrorists, stabilise the area and restore the authority of the state. Kigali sent troops to work closely with Mozambique Armed Defence Forces (FADM) and forces from SADC, in the fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado.
By and large, just after a month, the entire Province was free save for very few "pockets" where operations to wipe out the terrorists continued.
Cabo Delgado Province has 16 districts. But those mostly affected by the insurgents’ terror activities were Palma, Mocimboa da Praia, Mueda, Mocamia and Muidumbe.
In fierce battles with the insurgents in the past two months, Rwanda lost four soldiers and had 14 serous injuries while scores of terrorists are dead.
The joint forces are now busy combing through most of the recaptured territory to ensure remnants of the terrorists do not resurface to undermine the peace. More than 20,000 previously displaced people have so far returned home and resumed their normal lives in areas like Palma.
At the stadium, the Heads of State presided over festivities – including witnessing the awarding of millitary medals of heroism to several FADM soldiers who put up "commendable” resistance against the terrorists in various parts of Cabo Delgado Province ever since the insurgency begun. Some were awarded the millitary medal of bravery posthumously for sacrificing their lives for their nation.
Ndugu Raisi, karibu Nyumbani
Nyusi, amidst applause from the stadium, once again welcomed Kagame to Mozambique.
"Mr President this is your home. You are welcome home. Ndugu Raisi, karibu Nyumbani.”
Nyusi paid tribute to the heroes of his motherland and those who, he said, are carrying on, the new generation of Defence Forces that are defending it.
"Your Excellency President Kagame. Dear compatriots, ladies and gentlemen, on a day like this, 57 years ago, the Mozambican youth begun an epic armed struggle against the Portuguese colonial rulers culminating with the hosting our multicolour flag on June 25th 1975,” Nyusi said.
"We celebrate our history in a place and at a time when our armed forces, inspired by the liberating epic values of solidarity, combined efforts with their colleagues in the Rwandan Defence Forces and the SADC Standby Force in the fight against terrorists, to restore peace and tranquility to our people.”
"It is a gesture inherent to the African and universal values that when the neighbours house is on fire, we must rush to extinguish the fire before it spreads.”
Kagame: Spirit of solidarity and cooperation lives on
Kagame was applauded as he addressed the Mozambican nation.
Kagame said: "Today, we honour the liberators of this great country and are grateful for their struggle and sacrifice. We also celebrate their achievements here in Mozambique, the inspiration and support that the freedom fighters extended to other liberation movements in Africa.
"The spirit of solidarity and cooperation lives on, as African countries, including Rwanda, join with Mozambique, to fight a new threat to the security and stability of Cabo Delgado.”
Kagame stressed that the people of Cabo Delgado, like in the rest of Mozambique, need peace and safety, to live their lives, take care of their families, and contribute to the development of their country.
"In fact, we all need this, no matter what country we come from. This is why Rwanda did not hesitate, when we were asked to join our armed forces together with Mozambican forces, to bring security back to this region. Together, our joint forces have succeeded in pushing back the insurgents.”
According to Kagame, Africans are capable, and by working well together, "we can find solutions to even our most difficult problems.”
Kagame said: "Nothing should stop us from ensuring the stability, progress, and well-being of the people of Africa.”
Nyusi noted that forces from sister countries are in Mozambique not because they have surplus resources, but because they give what they don’t have, and demonstrate with acts how precious are the bonds of friendship and cooperation "that unite our countries.”
"Its deployment, side by side, with our defence and security forces, also stems from the enlighten vision of leaders of Rwanda and of our regional organisation who have understood that Terrorism is a global scourge that must be fought, wherever it is.”
In fulfilling their mandate in Mozambique, Nyusi noted, they have added to "our efforts to restore peace and stability, protect the people, returning home to build our economy, with an impact on the capability to contribute to regional, continental and global integration.
"There are no words to express on behalf of all Mozambicans our appreciation for your wise decision and for the sacrifice that the daughters and the sons of Rwanda consent together with the young members of our defence and security forces,” Nyusi said, also noting that they value, with equal prominence, the dedication of the SADC force