Finances and people. Two French-speaking reinforcements at EUTM Mali

(BRUSSELS2, exclusive) The European training mission of the Malian army (EUTM Mali) will receive reinforcement from two French-speaking countries, according to our information.

Canada will contribute not in personnel but in cold hard cash. More precisely, it concerns the supply of human resources software for the Malian army (as part of EUTM Mali's "expertise" mission), the value of which is estimated at 1 million Canadian dollars (i.e. approximately 700.000 euros).

The Swiss contribution consists of the secondment of civilian personnel. A "media" expert could thus come and reinforce the EUTM Mali team. However, this contribution is considered “significant” by European officials. And Switzerland could thus be exempted from financial contribution to the costs of the mission, in proportion to its contribution or its GDP, as required by the rule of the "Athena" fund (which supports the common costs of European military operations).

Originally, the Swiss planned to provide a team of military trainers to EUTM Mali, unarmed and in civilian clothes, to provide training in humanitarian law. But this option was crossed out by the Defense Department, led by sovereigntist Uli Maurer. The Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs had then decided to contribute to the United Nations mission, by sending mine clearance specialists, which enabled it to free itself from parliamentary authorization. "On the basis of the law on the army and within the framework of a UN resolution, such a mission does not require the approval of parliament"as indeed confirmed this summer by my Swiss colleague from the HIGHLIGHTS. The ministry has also found a solution to local political difficulties to assert its presence in the European operation to train the Malian army. Welcome !