A security firm backed by Rwanda’s ruling party has been hired to protect TotalEnergies’ gas project in Mozambique. The move comes three years after the Rwandan army helped suppress the Islamic insurgency in the region, TotalEnergies said on Wednesday, July 17.
According to the Financial Times, which quotes an anonymous source at the oil company, it is Isco Security – a joint venture between Rwanda’s Isco Global Limited and a local Mozambican company. Isco is providing unarmed security services in the development of the 1.2 billion meticais (20 billion dollars) liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Cabo Delgado province.
The project was suspended in 2021 after an attack by insurgents on the nearby town of Palma, which resulted in the deaths of dozens of people, including foreign contractors. In response, Rwanda sent more than 4,000 troops to secure the region, with the support of an agreement between the presidents of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, and Rwanda, Paul Kagame.
Since then, Rwandan troops have been helping to restore security in the region. However, the costs of this deployment – estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars – have not been revealed.
Since then, Rwandan troops have been helping to restore security in the region. However, the costs of this deployment – estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars – have not been revealed.
In recent years, Rwanda has played a significant role on the continent, sending soldiers to other African countries on peace missions and bilateral agreements, such as in Mozambique and the Central African Republic. However, the presence of Rwandan companies following the army to these countries has sparked criticism, suggesting that the military deployments serve to advance Rwandan economic interests.
