The next shot
(BRUSSELS2) In the Sahel, it is important to prepare for the "aftermath" to avoid being taken again "by surprise" two or three years from now, by a further worsening of the situation. The European Mission to Strengthen Capacity in the Sahel (EUCAP) has already deployed to Niger. Not without difficulties it is true. But she is now at work. The Malian army's European training mission (EUTM Mali) will begin to deploy in two weeks. First by the expert mission, then for the training which should thus start at the end of March - beginning of April. But its only mission will be to train soldiers and assist the Ministry of Defence.
The strengthening of "civilian" power is urgent
On the side of justice and the police, however necessary and just as important for the restoration of the rule of law, especially in the north of the country, nothing is planned. Admittedly, the extension of the EUCAP Sahel mission to Mali is envisaged. But it is not a question, there, of dragging on another year or two years as we did for the "borders" mission in Libya or for the EUCAP Niger mission... It is immediately that he must act to stabilize Mali. And Europe has its full role to play.
