Africa-Press – Mozambique. Mozambican Defence Minister Jaime Neto said on Wednesday that the capacity building for Defence and Security units by the European Union Military Training Mission in Mozambique (EUTM-Mozambique) will improve the technical skills of the infantry, navy and air force in the fight against terrorism in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.
Speaking at the barracks of Mozambican marines in Catembe, in the bay of Maputo, at the launch of EUTM-Mozambique, Neto stressed that besides military operational skills, the mission will also include human rights issues, particularly the protection of women and children.
Budgeted at nearly 16 million Euros (18.5 million US dollars), the mission, the first of its kind in Mozambique, has a two year mandate and includes the supply of training equipment as well as non-lethal support material.
“Our main focus is the return of peace and security to Cabo Delgado, and we think that the specialisation of our troops is the right step for accomplishing this objective,” Neto said.
“With the skills transmitted by the EU mission, the Armed Forces will always be ready to fulfill their mission and to defend the Mozambican people and the country’s territorial integrity, at any cost, from any threat”, Neto declared.
At the end of the EU mission, he said, the defence forces should be better prepared to combat terrorism and violent extremism. “We believe we can depend on you and the very large experience the EU mission has on the struggle against this evil,” he added.
The Portuguese Defence Minister, Herminio Maio, said the launch of the mission represents a very powerful bond between Mozambique and the EU.
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