EUMAM Mozambique commemorated Portugal Day on June 10 with a symbolic ceremony including the raising of the Portuguese flag and the playing of the national anthem.

Portugal Day — officially the Day of Portugal, Camões, and the Portuguese Communities — is a significant national holiday that pays tribute to the renowned poet Luís Vaz de Camões, author of the epic Os Lusíadas. The date also honours the Portuguese language and the country’s armed forces.

As highlighted in the publication, the event took place in the mission’s area of operation and served as a moment to reflect on the strong historical and cultural ties that bind Portugal, and by extension the European Union, with Mozambique. Portuguese service members, deployed as part of EUMAM Mozambique, played a central role in the ceremony.

The mission, which was launched by the European Union in 2024 as a  follow-up of the successful EUTM mission, supports the FADM in enhancing their operational capacity to respond to pressing security challenges, in particular the fight against terrorism in the Cabo Delgado province. This mission is a core component of the EU’s broader commitment to peace and stability in the region.

By marking this important Portuguese national holiday, the ceremony underscored the enduring cooperation between Portugal and Mozambique within the framework of a wider EU strategy. It also reflected the European Union’s integrated approach to external action — blending military assistance with long-term partnerships based on mutual respect and shared goals.

Celebrations such as these, while cultural in nature, are also a testament to the values and solidarity that underlie the EU’s mission in Mozambique. They reinforce the deep-rooted cooperation between the European Union and Mozambique, particularly in the fields of security, training, and institutional development.

As the EU continues to support its partners in Africa, EUMAM Mozambique stands as a concrete example of how collective European engagement can make a tangible difference on the ground — building stronger, more resilient defence structures in the face of evolving security threats.