We are looking for two protection sections for EUTM Mali (Maj2)

(BRUSSELS2 exclusive) The apparent satisfaction within the EUTM Mali mission does not hide a certain concern in European circles: there are still 2 protection sections (or platoons *) missing (i.e. between 60 soldiers!) for the European mission which will ensure the training of the Malian army. If the protection is ensured on Bamako, with a Czech section of about thirty men; on Koulikoro there is currently only one section provided (by the Spaniards) on the four required. But these are considering the hypothesis of providing a second. 4 - 1 - 1 = 2. It's math. Among the Member States, there is one certainty: France will fill this gap. She already has men there. It is " No we answer on the French side. A diplomat confirmed it again today. " We were able to deduce too carefully that France would provide the missing ". But the situation is not the same as 15 days ago. “We are very heavily engaged on the ground, the fighting is intensifying. And all strength is needed ».

Fierce fighting on the spot, the necessary French forces, an order from the Elysée

Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian confirmed this this morning in an interview with our colleagues from Europe1. " We've done a lot of the work (NB: 70% of the work according to the Malian Chief of Staff). It's not completely finished. And it's the last part that's the hardest "" The fighters are practically face-to-face, they see each other, and so it's within reach of men, it takes place on the ground in extremely harsh conditions”. The losses were severe: 4 French dead, around thirty Chadians and several dozen wounded, several of whom were seriously repatriated to France. The French message to Europeans is therefore clear: there needs to be burden sharing ". And, according to our information, the order would come from the highest level of the State. It is up to the Europeans to provide, it is estimated at the Elysée...

Work to be done on site

All eyes are on Belgium, which is already heavily involved in the EUTM Mali mission by providing two helicopters. In principle, the decision is made. " The government has decided to participate in the protection mission thus affirmed the Minister of Defence, Pieter de Crem, before the Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday (March 6). But there is a condition. " We went there to assess the security of the camp where our men would be stationed and immediately decided that the security guarantees were insufficient to allow our soldiers to carry out their work in the best conditions. “The camp where the lessons should be given is a semi-open place enclosed between rock walls, which is not conducive to securing it. (...) If we deploy soldiers to protect troops, they must also be sufficiently protected. » The EUTM Mali mission must make certain adjustments. It is only once "the European Union Training Mission (will have) declared that the security conditions are met to send a protection detachment" that Belgium will be able to decide. " A new proposal will then be submitted to the Council of Ministers. » NB: this condition is also necessary for the deployment of Belgian helicopters for medical support. The transfer of command should take place in mid-March.

Other countries

Discussions are therefore taking place with other countries. Spain has been asked to increase its contingent. This would have the advantage of a certain cohesion of the protection force. The objective of those in charge of the mission was to have only one country for the "protection force" in order to maintain a certain cohesion, and to avoid dispersion or any problem of command. This principle may not be respected

Comment: a little consistency ladies and gentlemen !

We can all the same be dismayed by the lack of voluntarism of the Europeans for this mission. Most countries are ready to send hundreds or even thousands of men to Afghanistan, for a sometimes useless mission. But to find 60 to 90 men in Mali, destined to keep a structure, in a training mission decided on in common and whose usefulness and necessity everyone praises, there is hardly anyone... There is all the same a slight issue !

This in no way prevents certain countries from being very keen on jobs. Finland and Poland have thus supported the candidacy of one of their own for the post of EU special representative for the Sahel. It is true that the position is more enviable, calmer, very strategic without forgetting the salary (sufficient 😉 which is, moreover, paid on the budget of the European Union. Where is the logic? There is a certain contradiction in wanting to assume leading positions, in a region at European level, while not assuming on the spot the minimum of the European commitments made at 27.

Could it be the potential risk (limited all the same to Koulikoro) or the difficulties encountered in northern Mali currently that makes us cautious? I will quote General Lecointre, who commands the EUTM Mali mission: “ I will be horrified if the Member States support the action of the European Union less on the pretext that there are French deaths. The French and Chadian sacrifice must be a spur to get involved. Especially since the mission will have no direct combat role” and that it is located far from these...

(*) Terminology varies between armies and countries