Latest news from EU Peacekeeping Missions (CSDP) – March 2015

(B2)

The Somali Coast Guard equipped with 6 4x4 vehicles and communication equipment

Six Nissan 4×4 vehicles, communications (GPS) and computer equipment, were just handed over to the Somali Federal Coast Guard in mid-March. A transfer which was formalized on March 15, during a ceremony held at the EUCAP Nestor compound in Mogadishu, in the presence of the National Security Advisor to the President of Somalia, General Abdirahman Sheikh Issa, the Chief of Defense Forces, General Adan Dahir Elmi and the Chief of the Somali Coast Guard, Admiral Nurey. “This delivery of this equipment contributes to strengthening the capacity on land and the computer connectivity of the Libyan Coast Guard, explained Etienne de Poncins, EUCAP Nestor Head of Mission. It complements the work done over the past 12 months, by EUCAP Nestor, assisted by the EU Naval Force and other partners, to provide training in maritime survey, navigation and basic maritime skills for officers and new Somali Coast Guard recruits. A more than useful equipment... necessary, according to General Abdirahman Sheikh Issa. Because " Somalia has a long coastline that needs to be protected ". The operation was carried out jointly by the three European Union missions in the area. It was indeed the flagship of the EU Naval Force, Dutchman Johan de Witt, who helped deliver two of the vehicles by sea while EUTM Somalia personnel secured and assisted the teams on the ground.

The capacity building mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali) began its tour through Mali on 5 March. Its objective is to get a clear picture of the relationship between security forces and the population in the different regions of the country. The first stop was in Mopti where the small delegation met civil society in Mopti as well as the regional leaders of the three forces. The mission was able to collect very valuable information that will allow him to emphasize "local policing" in his training in order to regain the confidence of the local population says a statement from the mission.

Eurocorps in EUTM Mali in the second semester

Eurocorps will be engaged for the next period of EUTM Mali. He will form the key core from the command of the European mission EUTM Mali in the second half of 2015, with around fifty personnel involved. This is the first deployment under the aegis of the European Union for this European headquarters. Duration of the mission: 6 months.

(NGV)