[Dossier n°12] The training of Somali soldiers (EUTM Somalia) (v4)

August 30, 2010 Nicolas Gros Verheyde

The training of Somali soldiers, the objective of EUTM 1 and EUTM 2, will be more limited in the third phase (credit: EU Council / EUTM Somalia)

(B2) Here are the main articles published on the first operation to train an African army set up within the framework of the PeSDC: EUTM Somalia.

From the first ideas to the “green light” on the ground

Le 23 April 2009, at an international conference in Brussels, Europeans and the international community pledged to help Somalia: $213 million (165 million euros), half of which came from the EU and its member states.

Le 18 May 2009, France, which has just completed training Somali soldiers in Djibouti, is presenting this "pilot initiative" to the EU Council of Defence Ministers in Brussels.

Le 26 May 2009, the United Nations Security Council adopts the 1872 resolution which calls on States to " provide technical assistance for the training and equipment of Somali security forces ».

End of May 2009, the EU High Representative, Javier Solana, writes to the Member States to recall the urgency of European action.

The long maturation of the idea of a European mission

Lesson start date July 2009, a first options paper is prepared by the EU Military Staff. The EU Council confirms this effort on 27 July 2009 and calls for " Strengthening EU involvement in peace and development efforts in Somalia " and " explore(s) the possibilities for the EU to contribute to the efforts of the international community, in particular in the field of security ».

Le 29 September 2009, at the meeting of ministers in Gothenburg, discussions are becoming more precise around delicate questions (read:Europeans not very enthusiastic about a Eusec mission in Somalia).

Le 17th November 2009, foreign ministers give the green light for the 24th ESDP mission of the European Union. They approve the concept of crisis management sure " a possible ESDP mission to help train the security forces of the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) " and asks that " additional planning work is carried out "This acceptance of "principle" allows the way to be opened to the planning process, but it is still necessary that choices are made. The training is expected to be carried out in Uganda and Spain should assume the role of framework nation.

Le 18th November 2009, the Somali government sends a letter to the EU to " welcome the efforts undertaken by the EU ». The various elements of the mission (OHQ, budget, schedule, chain of command, cooperation with the USA) are becoming clearer. Read: Eusec Somalia: 14 million euros. And the OHQ in Nairobi? (November 2009)

Le 26th November 2009, The European Parliament supports, by a resolution adopted by a clear majority, the deployment of a mission training of Somali military personnel

Le 30th November 2009, it is the turn of the Deputy Special Representative of the African Union, speaking on behalf of the AU Commission, to welcome this initiative (read: The African Union invites the EU to train Somali soldiers).

Le 8 December 2009, the EU Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers chooses " a strategic military option » (MSO) The EU wants to get more involved in the Horn of Africa

Six months after the first work on a European Union military mission in Somalia, progress remains slow. No final decision has been taken. Read: Somali military training mission (Eutra): the last line… curved?

Acceleration of the timetable

Le 1st January 2010, Spain takes over the presidency of the EU Council, a real boost to the establishment of the training mission for the Somali armed forces.

Le 5th January 2010, a letter from the Ugandan Minister of Defense invites the EU to " participate in efforts to train the TFG national security forces in Uganda, for a period of at least one year ».

Le 20th January 2010, the EU formally offers the Somali government to contribute to the training of Somali security forces.

Le 25th January 2010, the EU Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers decides to " set up a military mission to help train Somali security forces in Uganda”. (Read : EUTRA Somalia mission green light from 27). At the same time, the first teams responsible for planning and installing the mission arrive in Uganda. The key points of the mission are already known.

Le February 3st, 2010 The COPS adopts the decision of the Somali military training mission, a milestone reached. The mission commander will be Spanish. And the Europeans will only be in charge of the training modules. The Ugandan soldiers will provide the basic training. A new chain of command policy is also put in place, in line with the new structure of the Lisbon Treaty, with an increased role for the High Representative of the Union.

After'Initial military directive (IMD), the head of mission, the Spanish colonel Ellul is responsible for preparing the Conops (Concept of Operations) as well as the PGR (permanent general requirements) Read : EUTM Somalia, the timetable is accelerating… Un draft decision is prepared, ready for publication

Le February 24st, 2010, at the informal meeting of Union defence ministers, most of the staff are almost full , except the medical serviceEven countries not used to European missions have decided to participate. Malta to participate in Operation Atalanta and Eutm Somalia

Faced with a lack of staff to provide the medical service, its size had to be reduced. But the question remains, who will ensure Role 2 (medical) ?

EUTM Somalia finally launched!

Le March 31, 2010, EUTM Somalia mission officially approved , it will have 140 European soldiers. The objective is to train 200 men in two waves of 6 months. Note the importance of American participation. The medical service has still not found a candidate. Read also: EUTM Somalia launched, clear US participation, first details.

Le 7 April 2010, the EU gives its final green light to the military training mission called EUTM Somalia. The EUTM Somalia mission officially launched on April 7

Le 5 May 2010, the " Full operational capability » (FOC) is declared, signaling the full effectiveness of the mission.