Dr. Akinwumi voiced the appreciation via Twitter handle on Sunday 8th August 2021 as Rwandan soldiers deployed to fight insurgency in Mozambique seized the town from rebels in collaboration with Mozambican troops.

“I highly commend the gallant troops of Rwanda for liberating Praia from terrorists. Without security there cannot be development. Thank you President Paul Kagame for your incredible leadership and sacrifice. Rwanda has again made Africa very proud,” he tweeted.

Mocímboa da Praia has been under the control of rebels for the past five years.

Rwanda recently on 9th July 2021 started the deployment of 1000 troops of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and the Rwanda National Police (RNP) to Mozambique to fight rebel groups linked the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

The group sometimes calls themselves al-Shabaab, although they do not have known links with the Somali al-Shabaab.

The situation started worsening in October 2017 when armed extremists linked ISIL launched an insurgency in the Cabo Delgado region of Mozambique.

Since then, Mozambique Defence Armed Forces have been battling the extremists while many civilians were displaced by the fighting.

Following different attacks, the militants seized the port town of Mocimboa da Praia August 2020.

One day before seizing Mocimboa da Praia, RDF killed four insurgents and seized weapons including four RPGs, 3 SMGs and various documents.

Rwandan troops also vanquished rebels from the region known as ‘1st May’ after maneuvering through Njama.

The Commander of Rwandan soldiers deployed to Mozambique, Brig Gen Pascal Muhizi yesterday told IGIHE that the main objective was to root out enemy pockets from the town and conduct offensive attacks.

“This place is Mocímboa District which has been the stronghold for insurgents. Rebels used to withdraw to this area after plotting attacks rebels. They have been living here for more than five years,” he said.

After capturing the town, key infrastructures including an airstrip and the major port have been handed over to Mozambican forces.

Rwandan and Mozambican troops after arriving in Mocímboa da Praia.

The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Adesina Akinwumi.