The EUFOR RCA mission will remain centered on Bangui. France Nation-Framework (MAJ)
(BRUSSELS2 – exclusive) A new meeting of the EU military committee is expected to be held today (or tomorrow) to refine the format of the European operation in the Central African Republic. EUFOR RCA Bangui will be a “small” operation in size (around 600 men) and duration (around 6 months). The objective being to create the “bridge” (bridging operation) before the rise of the African force (MISCA) and the possible United Nations operation in the CAR. It should be deployed on the ground fairly quickly, in the spring, either before or simultaneously with the succession of Operation Sangaris (which must take place in April).
A mission to the airport
During their meeting yesterday (Wednesday January 15), the 28 ambassadors of the COPS – the Political and Security Committee – in fact definitively chose an option: that around Bangui airport (the second option was to secure an area west of the Central African Republic towards Cameroon). The objective of the operation will be threefold: 1) contribute to securing the airport, 2) contribute to the provision of humanitarian aid, 3) provide technical support to the Misca General Staff which is lacking of certain elements — such as C2 (Command and Control) or satellite telecommunications.
Half a dozen participating States according to B2
No country has today formally indicated that it would participate in the EUFOR RCA Bangui operation. But B2 carried out an initial overview of the different possible participations, potential or not. As it stands, an initial survey gives half a dozen States (potentially) participating in the mission. We can't say that we are jostling at the gate. There France thus proposed to be the framework nation for the operation by providing the FHQ (force headquarters) or, if necessary, the OHQ (operation headquarters) of Mont-Valérien (which had already served for the EUFOR Chad operation). Paris should therefore logically provide a significant contribution in personnel and a good part of the General Staff. Part of the succession of Operation Sangaris would then come under European mandate. Note that the Greece – which is currently in command of the on-call “battlegroup” – has also offered to make its headquarters in Larissa available.
La Belgium could provide a parachute company. The Poland and Czech Republic are studying a participation that could be common. L'Estonia should quickly formalize its participation, a modest participation but which reveals a regular commitment of this Baltic country in EU military operations (*).
The other countries
THEGermany as it currently stands, it will not participate in the mission with ground troops but will provide logistical assistance, particularly from the air. Several other countries (such as Sweden, Spain) indicated that they were considering participation. Others (Luxembourg, Austria, Italy, Finland) have not planned a contribution but do not exclude it. As it stands, some countries (Netherlands, Bulgaria) do not really intend to participate in the operation.
Other details (policy discussion, planning, timeline for discussion, funding) on the Club
(*) an Estonian commando is participating in the EUnavfor Atalanta operation and a detachment has been sent to the mission EUTM Mali
