Mozambique’s armed forces, the Forças Armadas de Defesa de Moçambique (FADM), have recently received the final shipment of equipment funded by the European Union through the European Peace Facility (EPF).
The European Peace Facility (EPF) Assistance Measure has been supporting the Mozambican Armed Forces in response to the crisis in Cabo Delgado with EUR 85 million worth of equipment.
This delivery completes an 85 million euro assistance package designed to bolster the military’s efforts against the insurgency in Cabo Delgado, a region plagued by violence linked to the Ahlu-Sunnah wal Jama’a (ASWJ), also known as the Islamic State group in Mozambique.
The European Peace Facility (EPF), established in March 2021, is a European Union financing instrument designed to support EU external actions with military or defense implications, aiming to prevent conflict, preserve peace, and strengthen international security.
The EU’s support began in July 2021 with an initial 4 million euro contribution, followed by a significant escalation in November 2021, when 40 million euros were allocated to equip five military units trained under the EU Training Mission Mozambique (EUTM).
By April 2022, the funding increased again with an additional 45 million euros, extending support to all eleven units trained by the EUTM. Alongside this, Portugal, leveraging its strong defense ties with Mozambique, contributed up to 40 million euros separately to the mission.
The EPF-supplied equipment is strictly non-lethal, including essentials like ballistic helmets, vests, and camouflage nets for individual soldiers, as well as collective items such as campaign tents, generators, and water reserves. To enhance mobility, the package also provided vehicles, ambulances, boats, and technical assets like drones, along with a field hospital. This gear has been critical in outfitting eleven Quick Reaction Forces (QRFs), specialized units tasked with responding rapidly to insurgent threats in Cabo Delgado.
Beyond direct aid to the FADM, the EPF also financed a 15 million euro initiative supporting the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM). After SAMIM’s withdrawal in July 2024, all associated equipment was handed over to the Mozambican Armed Forces, further strengthening their resources. This transfer marked the completion of that specific action, ensuring the equipment remained in use against the insurgency.
The EU’s role has adapted to the conflict’s demands over time. In September 2023, the EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) succeeded the EUTM, taking over the training of FADM QRFs. This shift has sustained the focus on building Mozambique’s military capacity, complementing the efforts of the Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF), who are also deployed in Cabo Delgado to help quell the unrest.
A notable example of this training occurred in March 2022, when the EUTM, led by its Portuguese component, prepared two Mozambican military companies—one from the army and one from the navy—as part of the bilateral defense cooperation between Portugal and Mozambique.
This latest equipment delivery concludes the current phase of EU assistance, underscoring the international community’s commitment to supporting Mozambique’s fight against the Cabo Delgado insurgency. The combination of advanced gear and specialized training has significantly enhanced the FADM’s ability to protect the region, offering hope for greater stability amid ongoing challenges.
