After a four-day visit to the port of Maputo, Italy and Mozambique have agreed to work together to safeguard commercial shipping along the Indian Ocean.
During the visit by the Italian Navy frigate Luigi Rizzo, Italy and Mozambique signed a military cooperation agreement. The deal, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, outlines joint training, capacity building and potential expansion to other armed forces sectors.
The pact aims to improve Mozambique’s ability to counter maritime threats such as piracy and illegal trafficking. Not long before the agreement, the Italian Navy thwarted two pirate attacks off the Horn of Africa.
While visiting Mozambique, the Luigi Rizzo conducted a joint simulation with the Mozambican Navy, showcasing maritime interdiction techniques crucial for protecting trade routes and local fishermen. The European Union Military Assistance Mission in Mozambique also took the visit as an opportunity to strengthen ties with its naval counterparts, Seaforces online reported.
The mission mandate runs through June 2026. Its aim is to support the Armed Forces for the Defense of Mozambique in protecting civilians and restoring safety and security in Cabo Delgado province.
The Luigi Rizzo is the flagship of the European naval mission. Before arriving in Mozambique, the ship and a Kenya Navy patrol vessel conducted a joint operation off the waters of the port of Mombasa, Kenya.