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EUSEC somalia: Spain will assume the role of Framework Nation


As advertised (read: The 24th ESDP mission "EuSecfor Somalia": green light on Tuesday), the Council of Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministers of the EU has approved ", Tuesday, the concept of crisis management " regarding a possible ESDP mission to contribute to the training of TFG security forces (Transitional Federal Government) and called for further planning work to be carried out, without prejudging subsequent decisions on possible ESDP action ". A convoluted formula that allows, on the one hand, to go quickly by launching the planning work necessary for a new operation of the PeSDC, to continue to work on certain points (selection of soldiers, return to Somalia ...), and , on the other hand, preserves the reluctance of certain Member States. In short, it is the principle of constructive abstention which is thus put to work and which could be summarized as follows: I do not completely agree but I do not block the decision-making process (read also: Unanimity for EU foreign policy, a blessing?).

About 2000 men « Firstly could be trained in Uganda, “ 6000 term according to the French. The operation could be completed “ before the end of the year said Cristina Gallach, spokesperson for Javier Solana, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Policy. Ie French Minister of Defence, Hervé Morin was more circumspect. " I learned to be careful, since the Eufor Tchad operation". What seems more likely - a certain number of technical matters must be completed - is that the operation will finally be launched under the Spanish presidency. The first round table at ministerial level on the subject nevertheless showed more than an agreement in principle, a need to commit, as several European diplomats (Swedish, Hungarian, Spanish, French, etc.) testified. Some States commit themselves, sometimes precisely, in terms of personnel contribution. Planning can now begin. It will be of a new kind since it will associate civilians and military in a more integrated way.

A necessary mission. This operation is not not risky. It is simple in its operation, small in size (a hundred men), and truly enters into the European spirit. commented Hervé Morin, who went out to talk to journalists between two working sessions. « Europe has a responsibility for the stability of the African continent. (...) Everyone is aware that something has to be done, that launching a peacekeeping operation in Somalia is out of reach - no one has even offered to do so. The only solution is therefore to restore and help this transitional government he pleaded. « If we don't take the reconstruction of the Somali state in hand, we could have Operation Atalanta for 20 years, 30 years, an eternity. " he added. " Atalanta is tackling the consequences, we must tackle the causes ". His colleague in charge of European Affairs, Pierre Lelouche, insisted, for his part, on the terrorist risk of Somalia. " What we have there is Al Qaeda, with the Shebab he explained. The Minister who went there to Djibouti last month, in the presence of COPS ambassadors who had the trip, did not hide his satisfaction and even a certain surprise. " I am surprised by the speed with which Europeans have become aware. In five weeks, we reached an agreement in principle on this operation. When I was there, with the COPS ambassadors, in the camp where the Somali soldiers were trained by the French and the Djiboutians, for many it was the first time they had seen Somali soldiers at work, it was a realization " he added.

Note: Carme Chacon proposed that Spain organize during its presidency (in the first half of 1), an international conference on Somalia - under the auspices of the UN - to promote the process of peace and stabilization in the country and fight against the causes of piracy.


Contributions from Member States. The operation should be small in size. " It takes about 100 men to launch the operation “, according to Hervé Morin, “ between 100 and 200 “, according to another European diplomat. And the necessary manpower seems to be able to be reached without too many problems. According to the first round table made by the European Ministers on Tuesday, half of the workforce already seems "on the table". Spain has accepted the role of framework nation for this mission and will provide a "substantial workforce" representing several dozen trainers. France offered 30 people - " We could have provided more - explained Hervé Morin - but it must be a European operation and not a French operation ". Several other States which have announced that they would contribute to the operation: Italy, Hungary (around 6 people), Portugal, Slovenia). Germany should specify its participation (an interview is scheduled for Wednesday between the defense ministers, German zu Gutenberg and French Morin). Other countries have shown their interest without indicating the principle of
contribution (Greece, Sweden, Romania, Belgium) or indicated that they supported it without being able to contribute (Czech Republic, Baltic countries). Some countries are more cautious (Slovakia), even reluctant (Netherlands). The United Kingdom maintains an ambiguous position: it officially supports the preparation of the operation, and has promised to bring " an important contribution (says Minister Morin) but insists on the need not to decide on an operation right away. For those who remember the beginnings of Atalanta, we find there an identical position, one could be quite classic of British military diplomacy on the EU's PeSDC operations.

The first "new formula" integrated planning. Now, the planning of the operation can begin. It will be led, for the first time, by the new civil-military structure put in place around the High Representative. It will always be the EU Military Staff that will lead the planning. But with the direct support of the new civil-military leadership CMPD, headed by Claude France Arnould. Thus the necessary civilian personnel will be integrated into the planning and will follow it from start to finish. Several questions are purely civil (the agreement with Uganda, the financial questions, the control of the destination of the European funds, the public markets necessary if necessary…). This will then facilitate the conduct of the operation.

(photo credit: Council of the European Union - Carme Chacon with Hervé Morin, during the Council)

Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).

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