The UK firmly supports the development of a Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) regional security architecture, in line and integrated with the African Union (AU).

Military links between the UK and Mozambique have strengthened since the 1992 Peace Accords. The development of affordable, professional, accountable armed forces supports our overarching objectives of achieving democracy, economic growth and poverty reduction in a secure environment.

In the 1990s, Mozambican military personnel participated in training courses organised by British Army Peace Support Training Teams based in Africa. We also hosted a number of Mozambican military and civil service officers on courses in the United Kingdom covering Officer Training and Formulation and Management of Defence Policy.

More recently, with peace and stability in Mozambique firmly established within a strong, democratic, governmental framework, the UK has increasingly focused on helping Mozambique to use its influence as a post-conflict success story in tackling conflict in other parts of Africa. The UK firmly supports the development of a Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) regional security architecture, in line and integrated with the African Union (AU).

In 2003, with Mozambique in the AU Chair, the UK spent £3.23m to support the deployment of a contingent of some 220 Mozambican troops to the African Mission in Burundi (which evolved into a UN peace-keeping operation). The UK funded transport and communications equipment and related training, stores and personal equipment. The UK also funded and organised the transportation of the troops and their equipment to Burundi.

In 2005, the UK provided £265,000 for the refurbishment of the Military Training Academy in Nampula, northern Mozambique, which aims to become a regional centre of excellence for the training of military officers, including their preparation for Peace Support Operations (PSOs).

In 2006, we launched a new £200,000 project on Peace-keeping English Communication Skills, which aims to develop a curriculum and train trainers to equip Mozambican military and civilian peace-keepers with the skills they need to operate in a multinational environment.

Recently, in September 2008, the UK formally handed-over to the Mozambican Government the Moamba Peace-keeping Centre, southern Mozambique, which aims to be the headquarters of Mozambique's Peace Operations Battalion. We spent over £250,000 in the construction of two classrooms, offices, a kitchen, a refectory and a dormitory for 100 men.

The UK continues to offer training for individual officers in the UK and at African Regional Centres of excellence in the Formulation and Management of Defence Policy, Exclusive Economic Zones and Peace Support Operations.