Rwanda, Mozamique Armed Forces join Community Clean-Up in Mocímboa da Praia

Rwandan security forces deployed in Mozambique have joined their Mozambican counterparts and local residents in a community clean-up exercise aimed at promoting hygiene, solidarity, and cooperation in the coastal town of Mocímboa da Praia, located in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.

The exercise, organized by the Mocímboa da Praia District authorities, brought together hundreds of participants, including Rwandan and Mozambican police and soldiers, civil servants, and ordinary citizens. The initiative formed part of broader efforts to strengthen ties between security personnel and local communities recovering from years of insurgency.

According to officials, the clean-up campaign sought not only to improve sanitation in public spaces but also to reinforce community participation in rebuilding the district’s social and economic life after years of conflict and displacement.

A Symbol of Unity and Cooperation

After the community exercise, local leaders addressed participants, emphasizing the importance of maintaining regular community work  known as umuganda in Rwanda  as a foundation for national cohesion and development.

Helena Bandeila, the Cabo Delgado provincial representative, commended both Rwandan and Mozambican forces for their continuous contribution to peace and security in the region. “We are deeply grateful to the Rwandan and Mozambican security forces for their dedication and the sacrifices they continue to make to ensure lasting peace and safety in this province,” Bandeila said. “We encourage residents to keep participating in monthly clean-up activities so that cleanliness and development remain part of our shared progress,” she added.

Residents expressed appreciation for the joint effort, saying it reflects the renewed sense of normalcy and cooperation that has returned to Mocímboa da Praia, once a stronghold of insurgents before being liberated in 2021.

Rwanda’s Continued Role in Restoring Peace

Rwandan security forces  comprising both the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and the Rwanda National Police (RNP)  have been deployed in Mozambique since July 2021 at the request of the Mozambican government. Their mission, conducted in collaboration with Mozambican forces, has been to combat insurgent groups affiliated with Islamist extremists who had destabilized Cabo Delgado for several years.

Since their arrival, Rwandan forces have played a decisive role in securing strategic locations such as Mocímboa da Praia and Palma, restoring stability, and facilitating the safe return of displaced civilians to their homes. Their involvement has been widely recognized as instrumental in reclaiming areas that had fallen under terrorist control and in creating conditions for reconstruction and investment.

Peace Through Partnership and People-Centered Efforts

The clean-up drive in Mocímboa da Praia was not only a sanitation campaign but also a symbol of peace-building through community engagement. By working alongside civilians, the Rwandan and Mozambican security forces demonstrated that rebuilding war-affected regions requires more than military operations  it also demands human connection, trust, and shared responsibility.

Local officials say similar activities are planned in other parts of Cabo Delgado to strengthen the relationship between residents and security personnel, while promoting hygiene, resilience, and collective recovery.

As stability continues to return to Mozambique’s northern region, initiatives like these highlight the evolving nature of Rwanda’s mission  from active combat to post-conflict reconstruction and social transformation, reinforcing Rwanda’s reputation as a key partner in African peacekeeping and solidarity.