EU training mission in Mali launched
The Council launched on the 18 February 2013 the EU mission to support the training and reorganisation of the Malian Armed Forces. An advance party has arrived in Bamako on 8 February and will start the expertise and advisory tasks in the coming days. Military instructors are planned to be deployed before the end of March.
The operation, launched in the framework of UN Security Council resolution 2085 (2012), is an integral part of the EU's comprehensive approach to the situation in Mali and the Sahel. It is intended to help improve the military capacity of the Malian Armed Forces in order to enable them, under civilian authority, to restore the country's territorial integrity.
EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said: "My thanks go to the contributing member states and partner countries, whose decisive action has allowed the deployment of the mission. EUTM Mali will support stability in Mali and the Sahel, both now and in the future. Respect for human rights and the protection of civilians will be an important part of the training programme."
EUTM Mali will provide advice and military training to the Malian Armed Forces, including on command and control, logistics and human resources as well as on international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians and human rights. The mission will not be involved in combat operations.
Advance party of EUTM Mali arrives in Bamako
An advance party of the mission EUTM Mali has arrived today in Bamako, ahead of the launch of the mission planned in mid-February. The team of about 70 personnel will finalise with the Malian authorities the system for providing advice to the chain of command, and prepare in Bamako the setting-up of the headquarters and the arrival of the trainers for the mission.
The date of the mission launch will mark the beginning of the advice component to the Malian army, while the beginning of the training for soldiers is scheduled for early April.
In parallel, the process of force generation continues with the aim of providing the final staff and equipment which are needed. A number of Member States have already offered contributions, thus allowing the fulfilment of most of the needs. It is now for the Member States to continue their discussions and make necessary adjustments as soon as possible to allow the launch of EUTM Mali.