Situation in northern Mozambique

Subject: Situation in northern Mozambique

After a period in which things in Cabo Delgado (northern Mozambique) had seemingly settled down, the past few weeks have been marked by a worrying resurgence of violence, with daily reports of terrorist insurgent groups carrying out barbaric and deadly attacks on a number of villages, roads and churches in the area, triggering an exodus of both the local people and missionaries providing humanitarian aid. Given the worsening security situation and the planned withdrawal of the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) by June 2024, can the Vice- President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy please say:

1. In the immediate future, what measures and funds have or may be taken/allocated in order to provide humanitarian and emergency aid to those affected in the region of Cabo Delgado?

2. With armed violence on the rise, does the EU have a strategy for post SAMIM’s withdrawal from Mozambique; for example, will it strengthen the European Union Military Training Mission in Mozambique?

3. Does the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy intend to release new funds under the European Peace Facility to equip and train the armed forces that are fighting the terrorist insurgency?

Submitted:23.2.2024

Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell i Fontelles on behalf of the European Commission (13 March 2024)

The EU is aware of recent events in Cabo Delgado province, which witnessed a resurgence of violence from insurgents. The EU Delegation in Maputo is discussing with partners how to respond to the new needs caused by the last attacks and consequent displacements.

The EU’s integrated approach, blending development, humanitarian, peacebuilding and security actions, will continue to be at the core of EU’s actions in Mozambique. Currently EUR 91.5 million of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) envelope of the multiannual indicative programme for Mozambique is destined for specific projects in the North of the country.

In addition, the EU budget dedicated to humanitarian aid for 2023 and 2024 is entirely dedicated to the support of the conflict- affected population.

The EU is supporting its humanitarian partners which are currently assisting the people forcibly displaced in these last waves of attacks, particularly as regards needs of shelters, food and non-food distributions, water and protection of the population affected.

The EU military training mission to Mozambique (EUTM Mozambique) is currently undergoing a strategic review of its mandate, expiring in September 2024. Its current mandate is to train eleven quick reaction forces (QRFs) to be deployed in Cabo Delgado.

At present, the mission is training the last QRF, one of the various naval units of the Mozambican defence armed forces. Through the European Peace Facility, the EU provides support to Mozambican armed forces with EUR 89 million to acquire non-lethal equipment for the EUTM-trained units, which will continue throughout 2024.

A proposal on the future of the EUTM will be discussed and endorsed by the Member States in the up-coming weeks.