Eucap Nestor, fully operational in Djibouti and the Seychelles
(BRUSSELS2) The maritime capacity building mission in Eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean (EUCAP Nestor) is beginning to produce results. Of the planned capacity of 176 staff (137 international and 39 local), 67 are already in place (coming from the European Union + Norway). And its budget - of 23 million euros - should be renewed in November.
Djibouti and Seychelles, fully operational
After several months spent getting in place (the headquarters in Djibouti were not inaugurated until last February), " Eucap Nestor is now fully operational in Djibouti and the Seychelles explains Etienne de Poncins, the new head of mission who replaced Admiral Launay in the summer. " It has already started training, advice, and the establishment of a legal environment in these two countries and even in Somalia (Puntland). In Djibouti, three European advisers are included in the teams of the Ministry of Justice (in particular to help draft an anti-piracy law), in the coastguards, and in the navy, to develop various cooperation projects. There is the same type of activity in the Seychelles.
A complex mission
Of course, it is a mission that remains difficult. The regional scope of the mission makes its operation complex. Between Djibouti, Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, there are more than a few kms. The journeys are always long... and not always direct. And there remains a number of security challenges in the mission's main country, Somalia.
Somalia: the big piece
Somalia is the big piece recognizes Etienne de Poncins. The country has the longest coastline in the area (3500 km). This is the original homeland of pirates. But it remains difficult to access; with security issues in the foreground. A maritime adviser - an Italian - is thus present 3-4 days a week at Mogadishu airport, in the international zone. And some " close contacts are established with Puntland and Somaliland, the two most advanced regional entities. EUCAP Nestor has already been able to intervene in Puntland. " A training seminar on anti-piracy or anti-crime legislation was held in Garowe for several days, bringing together prosecutors and judges. ". Eventually, we plan to have around 6 people in Mogadishu, Garowe (Puntland) and Hargheiza (Somaliland). This is not without security problems (displacement). »
Floating classrooms
The advantage of EUCAP Nestor is to play the complementarity with the other missions on the spot. “We benefit from the ships of the Eunavfor Atalanta operation. These are real floating classrooms, where Somalis are brought in to train them. The Somali government was also recently received on board Atalanta's ships (read: The Somali government received on board the Eunavfor forces). And in Mogadishu, it is not excluded that the Italian protection force of EUTM Somalia can also protect the movements of the trainers.
Kenya and Tanzania, reluctance
In Kenya and Tanzania, the political context is “ less favorable we recognize at EUCAP Nestor. Kenya has a principled interest but has not signed a general mission agreement. We are in a " in-between phase. A strong team is already present, of about fifteen people who work mainly on Somalia underlines Etienne de Poncins. Because Kenya is still the gateway to Somalia. In Tanzania, it is even less advanced ". The country has " expressed his interest but did not follow up. A liaison officer should be sent to Dar el Salaam to try to make contact.
In fact, according to other information gathered by B2, Tanzania is looking elsewhere, towards South Africa. It thus in a certain way subcontracted the fight against piracy to private South African companies. It will be remembered that for several months European diplomats and soldiers had tried to obtain from Tanzania an agreement for the judicial treatment of pirates. Without more success.
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