Africa-Press – Mozambique. Russia says its database of known terrorists could aid efforts to combat terrorism in Cabo Delgado. Its new ambassador in Maputo has reaffirmed, in an interview with STV Notícias, Moscow’s readiness to support Mozambique’s fight against the northern insurgency. President Putin’s invitation for President Chapo to visit Russia is also on the table, along with a willingness to strengthen business and investment cooperation.
Russia was one of the countries that, between 2019 and 2020, partnered with Mozambique in the fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado, including alleged involvement of Russian mercenaries in the country, although neither government has confirmed this. Five years later, Moscow once again expresses its readiness to help.
According to Moscow’s new ambassador in Maputo, his country has information systems that could contribute to the counter‐terrorism effort, which has been ongoing for eight years in northern Mozambique.
“I think we have a lot of experience. We already have a solid foundation, information technology, which contains the names of terrorists, and we can share it; we can provide access to this information to our partners. And not only that, we can share our experience, how to defeat terrorism within a country,” said Vladimir Tararov, Russian Ambassador to Mozambique.
In addition to sharing intelligence, Russia claims to have the capacity to help with military capacity building, among other support.
“First of all, we have to agree on what assistance Mozambique needs now. What technology, what equipment (…) Because we also have good experience in the fight against terrorism,” the ambassador added.
Russia is currently engaged in war against Ukraine, which has further isolated it in much of the Western context. Therefore, it claims to be alert to new opportunities for cooperation and partnerships in Africa, with Mozambique considered a strategic partner in terms of trade.
“(…) And of course, we have begun to expand and strengthen political contacts. We are preparing an official state visit by the President of the Republic of Mozambique to Russia, and Putin has already extended an invitation to strengthen our relationship and expand not only political but also economic relations (…) Many companies are eager to invest in Mozambique and vice versa. We hope that Mozambican businesspeople will be able to invest in Russia, because we have several areas for this,” he emphasised.
The new Russian ambassador to Mozambique, Vladimir Tararov, presented his credentials to the President of the Republic in August, and is currently holding recognition meetings with several institutions in the country.
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