The Spaniards ready to take over at the head of EUTM Somalia
(BRUSSELS2) The Spaniards are ready to take over command at the head of the Somali army training mission (EUTM Somalia). The current general in charge, the Irishman Gerald Aherne, should be relieved next March by an Italian general according to our information. And the Spaniards would then take over, as our Spanish colleagues from El Pais. There are currently about fifteen Spanish soldiers in the mission, including five in Mogadishu. The staff could reach 50 with the assumption of command in a year.
Strong Spanish contribution from the start
The Spaniards had assumed command from the start of the mission in April 2010, with Colonel Ricardo González Elul before handing over to the Irish; Spain had then given a role of impetus to the mission, by sending 38 men out of approximately 150 at the time.
Mogadishu
The mission is to move by the end of the year to Mogadishu. An avant-garde contingent is present on the spot, in order to prepare for this trip. Work is underway in the camp. But these have been delayed. And the move could then be delayed for a few weeks.
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