Mozambique relies on Rwanda’s troops to fight terrorism: what happens if they leave?

Rwanda pulling its troops out of Mozambique risks creating a security vacuum in the restive Cabo Delgado province.

By: Kaitlyn Rabe, The Ohio State University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: April 19, 2026

Words: 1,248

Last Updated: 3 months, 1 week ago

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By Kaitlyn Rabe, The Ohio State University

Rwanda has threatened to withdraw its troops from Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, signalling a potentially decisive shift in the southern African country’s security architecture.

The threat of withdrawal is driven by a European Union (EU) warning that it may stop funding the Rwandan Defence Forces’ mission in Mozambique in May 2026.

Rwanda’s military intervention in northern Mozambique began in July 2021, when Kigali deployed about …

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