For the first time in its history, Rwanda is moving toward opening a permanent military base outside its borders, located in northern Mozambique’s troubled Cabo Delgado province.
Rwandan troops have been on the ground in Mozambique since 2021, deployed to counter an ISIS-linked insurgency that has torn through the resource rich region.
intervention has been widely praised visible stability in several districts and restoring a sense of safety back to civilians.
Earlier this year, Kigali and Maputo signed a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), creating a legal platform that officially recognizes the presence of Rwandan troops and grants them protected operational status in Mozambique. Experts believe the deal could create a path for a permanent base, expressing Rwanda’s rising influence in African peace and security efforts.
If this deal finalized, this step would bring an achievement in Rwanda’s defense strategy, reflecting not only its growing military operations but also its strong security partnership with Mozambique.
