The Mozambican Minister for National Defence, H.E. Cristóvão Artur Chume, visited the United Kingdom from 15 to 17 March 2022.
He was accompanied by the British High Commissioner to Mozambique H.E. NneNne Iwuji and Mozambican High Commissioner to United Kingdom H.E. Albertina McDonald. This visit aimed at strengthening bilateral partnerships between Mozambique and the United Kingdom in the areas of Trade, Defence and Security.
During his visit H.E. Cristóvão Artur Chume held talks with the Minister for Armed Forces James Heapey MP and Exports Minister Mike Freer MP, to discuss UK-Mozambique defence engagement and opportunities to strengthen trade and investment links. During their meeting, Minister Heappey also offered condolences for the recent loss of life and property caused by Cyclone Gombe, and highlighted UK support for the response, including £1.8m to help authorities and UN partners prepare and respond to urgent humanitarian needs this cyclone season.
Minister Chume also visited Security and Policing Exhibition, the UK government’s official global security event, which focuses on providing innovative and integrated ways for delivering security solutions across government, industry and academia.
The Minister went on to be guest of honour at a Chatham House round table where he briefed British companies interested in operating in Mozambique on the current security situation in Cabo Delgado, set out the government’s strategic approach to counter-terrorism, and highlighted opportunities for private sector investment and partnership from energy and mining to tourism, agriculture and Blue Economy.
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Minister Chume highlighted that economic development must go hand in hand with security and stability. He stressed the Government of Mozambique’s strong focus on the safe return of IDPs and the private sector to Cabo Delgado, enabled by recent significant improvements in security of the region. This follows successful security operations led by the government in partnership with Rwandan and SADC forces (SAMIM).
The British High Commissioner to Mozambique, NneNne Iwuji, said: “I am delighted that Mozambique’s Minister for National Defence paid his first official visit to the UK this week – a sign of the long history of a strong mutually beneficial defence and security partnership between our countries as members of the Commonwealth family. “The UK will continue to work in partnership with Mozambique to address the global threat of terrorism, and build lasting peace, prosperity and stability.”
Minister Chume thanked the UK and partners for investing in training of Mozambique’s armed forces and called on the international community to support Mozambique and its African partners, notably Rwanda and SAMIM forces, in their efforts to sustainably resource their mission in Cabo Delgado and build on progress made.
Finally Minister Chume reiterated his commitment to modernising and reforming Mozambique’s armed forces, and expressed his desire for continued deepening of Mozambique and UK trade, defence and security relationship, in promotion of common values as members of the Commonwealth family.
