Latest news from EU peacekeeping missions – CSDP (March 2018)
(B2) News from the various CSDP missions and operations deployed in Africa, the Middle East and Europe...
Djibouti. Atalanta makes capacity building
The Spanish ship Patiño of the EU anti-piracy operation, EUNAVFOR Atalanta, took advantage of a refueling stopover in Djibouti on 27 February to carry out, together with the armed forces of this small strategic country in the Horn of Africa, a small training activity. At menu vessel search, seizure and boarding (VBSS) training, and first aid training. The objective remains the same as in all training: to strengthen local maritime capacities.
Hargeisa (Somaliland). Meeting with the authorities
EUCAP Somalia's Head of Mission, Maria-Cristina Stepanescu, visited the semi-independent province of Somaliland at the end of February. The meeting with various authorities, including the Minister of Justice, the Director of the Anti-Piracy Coordination, etc., aimed to address the issue of the law of the maritime gendarmerie. According to communicated, discussions also focused on the possibilities of organizing law drafting workshops, as well as trainings on human trafficking and migration.
Bangui (Central Africa). Joint PSC and CPS visit to Camp Kassai
A joint mission of the Political and Security Committee (PSC), of the European Union, and the Peace and Security Council (PSC), of the African Union was organized from 7 to 9 March. Led by Ambassadors Walter Stevens (EU) and Adam Maïga Zakariaou (AU), this mission is part of the consolidation of peace in CAR (in cooperation with the United Nations). Among other things, she highlighted the work done by EUTM in assisting the Central African Armed Forces. (communicated)
Bamako (Mali). The G5 Sahel in training
The EU mission on internal security EUCAP Sahel Mali organized, from 5 to 9 March, in collaboration with the EU Regional Coordination Cell (RCC Sahel), a training course on securing borders and the fight against irregular migration for the police forces of the G5 Sahel countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Chad). " This is the first time that training has brought together border police from the five countries of the sub-region. » Explain Mohamed Asker, central commissioner of the city of Port Etienne in Mauritania. “We need a police component, in addition to the military component ". For him, this training is a real technical added value »
Gali and Ergneti (Georgia). IPRM meetings
On February 27, the 53rd meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) was held in Gali, on the Abkhaz administrative boundary under the UN presidency and with the participation of the European observation mission EUMM Georgia. European side, we highlight the lack of justice in the case of Giga Otkhozoria, killed by a border guard last May at the administrative border between Georgia and Abkhazia and we highlight the need to strengthen judicial cooperation, in particular via the exchange of information. The next meeting will be on March 21.
In Ergneti, near the administrative boundary with South Ossetia, the 1th meeting on the IPRM took place on March 85. EUMM and the OSCE, which co-organized the meeting, encouraged cooperation and access to information, in connection with the death on 22 February of Georgian Archil Tatunashvili, while in detention in South Ossetia (read: Renewed tension in South Ossetia. A Georgian who died in prison). Head of Mission Erik Høeg said the EUMM stands ready to support the investigation and facilitate discussions.
Pritina (Kosovo). CivCom visit
Experts crisis management (CivCom) of the '28' traveled from February 27 to March 2 to Kosovo to " assess the impact of the EULEX mission on the rule of law and the establishment an independent and functioning judicial system ". The 'CivComs' were thus able to discuss with the Ministers of the Interior and of Justice, police officers and prosecutors, as well as actors from civil society, in particular on questions of police cooperation and the prosecution of criminals of war. They were also able to lend themselves to a hostage-taking exercise. (communicated)
Honoring women
It should be noted that all the missions highlighted women the week of March 5, in particular on International Women's Day, March 8. It was more like a given directive than a spontaneous will...
(information compiled and formatted by Claire Boutry)
