The situation in Cabo Delgado and the role of neighbouring countries

Subject: The situation in Cabo Delgado and the role of neighbouring countries

Violent attacks are still ongoing in Cabo Delgado in Northern Mozambique. The EU has sent a military training mission to support Mozambican forces, while African joint forces such as the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) are also fighting on the ground. Among many others, Zimbabwe has also intervened by deploying soldiers to the Cabo Delgado region with a view to stabilising the conflict.

Given these developments, we ask the Council:

1. How is the EU helping Zimbabwe in its fight against the Islamist threat in the region?

2. In this context, is the Council considering lifting the EU sanctions against Zimbabwe in specific circumstances?

3. In view of the cooperation between African countries in the conflict, how can the EU better boost the cooperation of neighbouring East African countries in the fight against ISIS?

Reply

(10 May 2022)

In its conclusions of 22 April 2020 (1), the Council provided a comprehensive framework for the EU’s and the Member States’ engagement with Mozambique and for coordination with other stakeholders. In particular, the Council emphasised that the security and humanitarian situation in Cabo Delgado requires urgent attention, while ensuring full respect for human rights.

The EU has launched the European Union Training Mission in Mozambique (EUTM Mozambique (2)) to address the crisis in an integrated manner. EUTM Mozambique in conjunction with the assistance measure under the European Peace Facility (EPF) (3) is the core element of the security pillar and the key component of the integrated approach.

In terms of the peacebuilding component, the EU is implementing six projects in the northern provinces with a focus on Cabo Delgado. These projects support communities, community policing, inter-faith dialogue, social cohesion and children affected by conflict.

The implementation of the Early Response Mechanism falls within the sphere of competence of the Commission, which is therefore better placed to address questions on the specific projects and support provided in this context.

As regards the EU sanctions, with Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/227 (4) the EU renewed its restrictive measures in view of the situation in Zimbabwe, while lifting the restrictive measures against three individuals which had already been suspended.

The arms embargo and the targeted assets freeze against one company, Zimbabwe Defence Industries, remain in place in view of the situation in Zimbabwe and the continuing need to investigate the role of the security forces in human rights abuses. On the occasion of the renewal, the EU reiterated its ambition for a more constructive relationship with Zimbabwe at all levels.

⋅1∙ 7467/20; Council conclusions on Mozambique.

⋅2∙ Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/1143 of 12 July 2021 on a European Union Military Training Mission in Mozambique (EUTM Mozambique), OJ L 247, 13.7.2021,

p. 93, and Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/1818 of 15 October launching the European Union Military Training Mission in Mozambique (EUTM Mozambique), OJ L 368, 18.10.2021, p. 5.

⋅3∙ Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/2032 of 19 November 2021 on an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility to support military units trained by the EU

Training Mission in Mozambique, OJ L 415, 22.11.2021, p. 25.

⋅4∙ OJ L 38, 18.2.2022, p. 5.