South Sudan: the 27 want to review the copy (Maj)

(BRUSSELS2) Another mission currently in preparation, and for several months already, without decisions having been taken: South Sudan. The mission that the European Union is preparing for this newly independent country is fairly emblematic of the current ambition of European leaders. Small and of a relatively short duration, it is very targeted: to ensure the training of the security personnel of the new international airport of South Sudan in Juba (if the government does not decide to change its capital) particularly on customs or security issues. 'immigration. However, the decision does not yet seem easy.

Lack of enthusiasm

« No one dares to say no explains a diplomat. But enthusiasm does not reign around the table. Explanation for this loss of will: A year ago (before independence), we thought that the region of South Sudan would be the crisis of the year. And we had then envisaged a CSDP mission. Today, to tell the truth, we must recognize that it went better than we feared. But the machine started. And Ashton is for, or rather she is not against. As a result, states that have other concerns would prefer not to invest in a mission that they no longer consider as useful as before. COPS ambassadors have therefore requested several clarifications and in particular to review the concept of crisis management (CMC) which does not seem " Very full says another diplomat.

Several other options had been put on the table - but do not seem to have been retained as they stand: the formation of a river surveillance unit (which first requires providing the South Sudanese with boats and adequate equipment); border management (larger project but which comes up against a difficulty on the Sudanese side, Defense and Interior having disputed this prerogative) or the criminal police (subject already partially taken care of by the United Nations mission UNMiss or other countries such as the Americans and the British).

(Maj, December 5) The 27 followed the guideline returning the mission to studies. The " Council notes the ongoing work for the CSDP mission in South Sudan, with a focus on airport security », diplomatically explain the conclusions adopted on 1 December. The working group of civilian crisis management experts CivCom were to look into the file again on December 5.