Nestor mission delayed. Kenyan and Tanzanian hesitations
(BRUSSELS2) The European maritime capacity building mission (Eucap Nestor) is still facing a major problem. Several countries where this mission is to take place have still not sent an invitation letter and therefore confirmed their official desire to host a European mission of the CSDP. This formality is a necessary and quasi-obligatory prerequisite in order to be able to continue the implementation of this mission which must however start this summer. According to our information, while Djibouti and the Seychelles have indeed sent an invitation letter, Kenya and Tanzania have not carried out this formality.
In Kenya, this absence is largely due to the country's political difficulties and the reluctance expressed by some local personalities; reluctance which was particularly expressed for the reception of pirates. Point to be clarified: general elections (legislative and presidential) are scheduled for March 2013, and three of the current leaders (Prime Minister Odinga, Deputy Prime Minister Kenyatta, Vice-President Musyoka) are among the main candidates for the bench supreme.
In Tanzania, the context is also difficult. The country has always wavered between involvement in the European operation - thus the pirate transfer agreement has still not been signed - and its integration from a more regional perspective, with a "game" that is, to say the least, troubled. Africa, which apparently wants to preserve its backyard. This also seems to be coupled with a local desire, it seems, to obtain a sound and stumbling contribution from the large part of the European Union, particularly in terms of equipment. As one European diplomat put it, ironically, “ to help them, you have to go to the cash register. The result no doubt of a certain practice for years of development policies which has developed this type of reflex of the "cheque" ».
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