European Peace Facility supports armed forces of Mozambique, Mauritania

Brussels, Belgium (PANA) - The European Peace Facility Council on Thursday adopted five assistance measures under the European Peace Facility (EPF) in support to the deployment of the Rwanda Defence Force in Mozambique, in addition to support of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Lebanon, and Mauritania.

"The European Peace Facility continues to show its flexibility and effectiveness in responding to our partners’ needs. Today, we have adopted five new assistance measures to support Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Lebanon, Mauritania and the Rwandan deployment to Mozambique," Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, announced.

These new assistance measures increase the EU's ongoing support to partner countries in Africa, the Eastern Partnership, and the Western Balkans, and expands the European Peace Facility's geographical outreach to the Southern Neighbourhood.

In a press release, the Council said it adopted an assistance measure worth €20 million to support the continued deployment of Rwanda Defence Force in Cabo Delgado province. This deployment started in July 2021 at the request of Mozambican authorities, in response to the ongoing fight against terrorism.

“The assistance measure adopted today adds to the ongoing assistance of EUR 89 million for the Mozambican Armed Forces in conjunction with the EU Training Mission (EUTM) Mozambique and EUR 15 million for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM).

“The assistance measure will enable the acquisition of collective and personal equipment, and cover costs related to the strategic airlift needed to sustain the Rwandan deployment in Cabo Delgado,” it added.

With regard to Mauritania, the Council adopted an assistance measure worth €12 million to the benefit of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.

“The assistance measure will enhance the capabilities of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania (FARIM) to better respond to the security threats Mauritania and the region are facing. 

"More specifically, the assistance measure has two key objectives: improving the military capacities of two pre-identified battalions of the FARIM, and improving the in situ medical capacities of the FARIM on the border with Mali, Western Sahara and with Algeria.

"The support consists in the provision of light boats, individual protective equipment and medical equipment,” the Council stated.

-0- PANA AR/RA 1Dec2022