The extension of EUFOR RCA's mandate on the table

(BRUSSELS2 to Milan - exclusive) Until now the watchword was: the European mission in the Central African Republic is planned for 6 months (from full operational capacity, declared in mid-June). And there will be no extension after December 15, the end of the mission!

Three-month extension asks Le Drian

But the reality of the situation in the Central African Republic is such that this extension is becoming inevitable today. French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian spoke about it to his European counterparts during the informal meeting of European Union Defense Ministers which has just ended in Milan (Italy). He " would be desirable to extend for three months the mandate of EUFOR Rca, underlined the Minister.

UN forces will not be ready by mid-December

UN blue helmets should not " not arrive in effect before October. And their deployment could take several months ” one underlines in the entourage of the minister. NB: In general, there is a delay of 6 months for a deployment (and more). Whether " we want the transition - the tiling in military terms - is well done between European and UN forces, " this extension (of a few months) is perfectly justified ". The operation would thus end on March 15, 2015 and no longer on December 15, 2014.

A mission that has proven its usefulness

After a somewhat long and chaotic set-up, the European mission “ works well ", indeed, in the opinion of all, and " has proven its effectiveness. We see " a net appeasement in Bangui, There are still outbreaks of violence. But there are clear signs of easing. Nightlife resumes. Taxis are running. The number of displaced people in M'Poko has decreased from 60-70.000 people to 15-20.000 people according to the latest reports submitted by the head of the European mission EUFOR RCA, General Ponties.

Relieve Sangaris

The European mission has also a great advantage “, we underline in the French side:” relieve the Sangaris operation, which can thus being more mobile, go to the provinces, where there were recent clashes between rival gangs a few months ago”. Of the 750 soldiers that EUFOR RCA has, about 2/3 are Europeans (EU + Georgia), the French providing about 200-250 soldiers + officers in the two General Staffs in Larissa and Bangui.

Comment: This extension option will have to be discussed quickly if we want to obtain the necessary forces. There remains, in fact, the test of the generation of forces, always difficult at the European level. The participating Member States (+ Georgia) will have to indicate whether they intend to extend the mandate of their soldiers (or renew them). And other states should join. After the departure of the Estonians at the end of August, and despite the arrival of the Italians, the workforce remains, in fact, at the tightest. To be continued...

Read also:

• Italian genius at work in the Central African Republic
• EUFOR RCA. Estonians will return safely at the end of the month
• Incidents in Bangui. A certain slowness to confirm. Some explanations
• Violent incidents in Bangui. Several wounded at EUFOR RCA and Sangaris (maj3)
• as well as all the articles on EUFOR CAR