Africa-Press – Mozambique. President Daniel Francisco Chapo clarified this Thursday in Kigali that the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) signed on Wednesday between Mozambique and Rwanda does not represent the creation of a new military agreement or a military alliance, explaining that it simply constitutes an international legal instrument that establishes rules of action for foreign troops deployed in another country.
Daniel Chapo added that this type of agreement had already been implemented in Mozambique during the SAMIM presence, within the framework of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
President Chapo emphasized that Mozambique is not facing a new military agreement, much less a military alliance, emphasizing that the signing of the SOFA does not imply an increase in the Rwandan contingent in Cabo Delgado, but rather the legal clarification of its presence.
Reflecting on the two-day visit to Rwanda, undertaken at the invitation of President Paul Kagame, the Mozambican Head of State said that the objective was to “deepen mutual and interpersonal knowledge” and “renew and strengthen relations of friendship and cooperation between our two countries”, with particular emphasis on Rwandan solidarity and support in the fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado.
The President’s agenda in Rwanda included a visit to the 1994 Genocide Memorial, where Daniel Chapo paid tribute to the victims and emphasized that the Rwandan experience constitutes “a solemn reminder that humanity must never forget what intolerance and hate speech can cause”. The President added that the example of the Rwandan people’s resilience inspires the inclusive national dialogue currently underway in Mozambique.
In the business sector, the Mozambican delegation visited the Kigali Special Economic Zone, where local and international companies generate jobs, especially for young people and women. The Head of State there commented that Mozambique intends to adopt Rwandan experiences, strengthening the processing of raw materials and job creation.
Regarding support for the private sector, President Chapo highlighted the recent launch of the Mutual Guarantee Fund, designed to facilitate access to credit for small and medium-sized enterprises, which represent 90% of the national economy.
“The government is assuming this shared risk,” Chapo said, emphasizing that the mechanism aims to stimulate entrepreneurial initiatives among young people and women.
The President’s visit also included a meeting with Mozambicans living in Rwanda, which the head of state dubbed “exemplary” in its academic and professional framework.
In closing, President Daniel Chapo assessed the visit to Rwanda as positive, emphasizing that “it is up to us to follow up on the decisions made and implement the experiences we gain here to develop our Mozambique”.
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