After an attempt to redeploy EUFOR RCA Integrated Police Unit into the MINUSCA, EUROGENDFOR had to withdraw, mostly because of logistic shortfalls. EUROGENDFOR kept a residual presence in the EU military advising mission as a commitment to the EU CSDP and a way to keep ready for future developments. On 16 July 2016, the Council launched the EU military training mission in the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA), built on the achievements of EUMAM RCA and expanding beyond it.
The goal of the mission is to support the FACA (Central African Armed Forces), by a three-pillar approach:
- Strategic advice on management of FACA resources and the implementation of defence sector reform, within the framework of the wider Security Sector Reform Process.
- Education for selected and vetted officers as well as non-commissioned officers.
- Operational training of up to three battalions until the end of its initial mandate, using the “train the trainer” process as much as possible.
From July 2016 to March 2017, EUROGENDFOR provided 2 experts in the mission. Since March 2017, there is one expert, who is both EUROGENDFOR coordinator and Gendarmerie/Police Advisor.
On 30 July 2018, the Council extended the mandate of the EU military training mission in the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA) by two years, until 19 September 2020. The Council also modified the mandate of the mission to enable it to give strategic advice not only to the Ministry of Defence, military staff and the armed forces, but also to the President’s cabinet, and to allow it to provide advice on civil-military cooperation, including to the Ministry of the Interior and the gendarmerie. The Council has allocated a budget of around €25.4 million for the common costs of EUTM RCA for the period 20 September 2018 to 19 September 2020.
You must be logged in to post a comment.