EUCAP Niger: change of mind
(BRUSSELS2, exclusive) The Belgian Filip De Ceuninck takes the reins of the mission to strengthen security in Niger (Eucap Sahel Niger), ad interim. The COPS approved this decision on Tuesday. But it takes effect retroactively on November 1.
The first head of the mission, the Spaniard Francisco Espinosa Navas, of the Guardia Civil, threw in the towel. The first times were indeed difficult. And the mission had “great difficulty in reaching a level of operational efficiency” (as one can say by remaining a diplomat).
De Ceuninck is already in office. Since he was, since July 2012, the number 2 of EUCAP Niger. This commissioner of the Belgian federal police is not on his first European mission. He was Liaison Officer at EUMM Georgia from August 2008 to May 2010 and at EUPOL Proxima (Fyrom) as Director of the Organized Crime Program from December 2003 to June 2006.
