The training of gendarmes in Niger, a challenge for the future EU “Sahel” mission
(BRUSSELS2) Preparations for a European mission in the Sahel are advancing… slowly. The ambassadors of the PSC - the Political and Security Committee - were today discussing the Crisis Management Concept (CMC), the first formal step in the political and military process to launch a European Security and Defense Policy mission municipality (PSDC). And the foreign ministers could approve the principle at the next meeting, on March 23… if all goes well. This mission will not be unique. It will include several components adapted to the various problems encountered in the 2-3 countries concerned in the region (Niger, Mali, Mauritania) by the increase in the terrorist and security risk. One of the first elements approved could be, according to information from B2, to provide assistance and training to the Gendarmerie and the National Guard of Niger.
NB: The recent intervention to free two hostages - Italian and British - in the far north of Nigeria, in this area adjoining the Sahel and Niger could speed up preparations for this mission which should normally start by the summer.
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