The arrival of Rwandan troops in Mozambique, ahead of soldiers from regional countries, to help fight Islamic militants has rankled South African defence minister.
“It is regrettable that this dispatch takes place before the deployment of Sadc troops, because whatever the bilateral relations between Rwanda and Mozambique, one would expect Rwanda to go to Mozambique in the context of a mandate given by heads of state in the Sadc region,” Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said.
The minister said this was a bilateral issue, “a situation over which we have no control”.
The Sadc troops are expected to arrive in Mozambique on Thursday.
Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi confirmed the arrival of Rwandan troops who will boost the fight against militants who have devastated some districts of northern province Cabo Delgado, since October 2017.