EU DAY Celebrated in Somalia - EUTM Somalia in Mogadishu: aA Milestone / The New Era

On 7th May EUTM Somalia declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) of it Mentoring Advisory and Training Element (MATE) Headquarters in Mogadishu International Airport (MIA). This was followed by the official launch on 15th of May as part of Schuman day celebrations in Mogadishu.

The MATE HQ which consists of Command and Support Element includes a Serbian Role 1 medical facility and a civilian Role 2 medical facility. To date the MATE HQ consists of personnel from. Finland, Italy, Ireland, Spain and the United kingdom. These will be quickly followed by an Italian Security Support Element and the initial deployment of Mentors and Advisors

The President of National Federal Government, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, was the guest of honour at the official launch of EUTM Somalia which was also attended by local military and civilian authorities together with considerable EU diplomatic representation.
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European Union Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM Somalia) Military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces

EUTM Somalia is an EU military training mission which aims to strengthen the Somali National Government (SNG) and the institutions of Somalia, by providing military training to members of the Somali National Armed Force (SNAF). Launched in support of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1872 (2009), the mission is one element of the EU’s comprehensive approach to challenges in the Horn of Africa, which includes efforts to promote political progress, improved governance, strengthening the rule of law, and responses to development and humanitarian needs.

The European Union Training Mission is commanded by  Brigadier General Gerald Aherne, who succeed Colonel Michael Beary  and Colonel Ricardo Gonzalez Elul.

The Mission Headquarters is located in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, and training is mainly carried out in Bihanga, Uganda. The mission also includes a liaison office in Nairobi and a support cell in Brussels.

Under its current mandate, the mission has focussed on command and control, specialist training, and ‘train the trainer’ programmes, which aim to develop Somali ownership of future training. Trainees additionally receive familiarisation courses in international humanitarian law, human rights law and in the protection of civilians. The mission will have trained about 3,000 troops by the completion of its second mandate in December 2012.

EUTM is conducted in liaison with the TFG of Somalia, and Somalia's main international partners which include the United Nations and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the US Government. Key Somali leaders and international partners have indicated that they believe that the work of the mission is making a valuable contribution to security in Mogadishu. Overall, the mission is seen to be achieving both its military and political objectives in training personnel destined to form the core of a new Somali National Security Force, thereby contributing to the strengthening the SNG as a functional government.