Latest news from EU peacekeeping missions – CSDP (April 2018)

(B2) Here is the latest news on missions and operations deployed under the European Union's Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) peacekeeping…

Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania). Tanzania Navy training

The Spanish vessel Patiño, currently participating in the European mission EUNAVFOR Atalanta, made a stopover in the port of Dar Es Salaam on April 3. The crew took the opportunity to train with the Tanzanian forces. Navigation exercises were carried out, allowing the Tanzanians to improve " their understanding of how a Spanish ship like Patiño navigates on the high seas, in coastal areas and its use of RADAR and global positioning systems ", according to communicated. They were also introduced to damage control exercises (emergency evacuation systems, firefighting, etc.). Improving the maritime capabilities of EUNAVFOR partners contributes to the success of the mission.

Rajlovac (Bosnia and Herzegovina). EUFOR multinational battalion exercise

The Hungarian component of the multinational battalion of the European stabilization operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR Althea) carried out an exercise on Thursday (April 5) in the barracks of the Bosnian armed forces, outside Sarajevo. This exercise was relatively complex in that it includes “ multiple tasks and scenarios to be handled simultaneously by a single company ". Among these tasks: the control of crowds and riots, the preparation of a landing site for helicopters and the evacuation of wounded by air. A satisfying exercise for Lieutenant-Colonel Markus Schwaiger: “ The Hungarian company performed well ».

Pristina (Kosovo). Communication training between media and prosecutors

The 'rule of law' mission in Kosovo (EULEX Kosovo) organized, on 29 and 30 March, with the Swedish Public Prosecutor's Office and the Kosovo Justice Academy, training for Kosovar prosecutors. According to one declaration of Lorenzo Sattanino, Assistant to the Deputy Head of EULEX, the objective is to " strengthen the capacity of Kosovo prosecutors and prosecution officers to communicate effectively with the media and the general public "with some" key communication concepts relating in particular to crisis communication management and journalistic interview techniques. Hekrem Lutfiu, spokesperson for the Special Prosecutor's Office (SPRK), added that the presence of journalists would have strengthened the side " handy of this training.

Niamey (Niger). Equipment handed over to the Niger police

On Monday 26 March, the European Mission for Assistance to Niger's Security Forces handed over equipment worth around 1,3 million euros to the Niger National Police. In total, these are 102 motorcycles with helmets, 30 4x4 pickup trucks and 32 bulletproof vests and helmets which will allow better mobility of the police forces. According to the Governor of Niamey, Seydou Ali Zataou, " our forces will be more effectively deployed on the territory and will be able to arrive in record time ". The donation, made by the Finnish Kirsi Henriksson, thus constitutes “ one of his last official acts before leaving the post of Head of EUCAP Sahel Niger '. (communicated)

Between Moldova and Ukraine. Trafficking in cigarettes and arms trafficking

In its Annual Report for the year 2017, significant progress but also substantial challenges have been achieved, according to the head of the EUBAM Moldova-Ukraine mission, Slawomir Pichor. Starting with the seizure of weapons. Thus 1706 firearms, 950 grenades and nearly 3000 munitions were seized. But the traffic remains important. Illegal cigarette trafficking has doubled compared to 2015-2016, reaching 2,6% ". The number of seizures is 88.

German Relay in Operation Sophia

The German support ship 'Mosel' (A-512) joined on April 18 the operation to combat trafficking in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med / Sophia). It thus replaces the air defense frigate Saxony (F-124), present in the operation since January. Commanded by the captain Jens Röder, with a crew of 106 members, the Mosel will also welcome other teams: linguistic mediators, legal advisers and even military police.

(information collected by Claire Boutry, st.)