Highlights

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On 16 July 2012, the Council adopted a new civilian mission under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) to support the Nigerien authorities in building their own capacities to fight organised crime and terrorism in the Sahel: EUCAP SAHEL Niger. Activities will initially focus on Niger.

EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said: "Increased terrorist activity and the consequences of the conflict in Libya have dramatically heightened insecurity in the Sahel. The new mission will contribute to strengthening local capacity in fighting terrorism and organised crime. European experts will train the Nigerien security forces to improve their control of the territory and regional cooperation."

This mission will play a training, monitoring, advisory and assistance role in order to improve the capacities of the Nigerien Gendarmerie, Police nationale and Garde nationale, as well as improving regional coordination in the Sahel on tackling common security challenges. It will not have any executive tasks.

EUCAP SAHEL Niger has an initial mandate of two years. A team of around 50 international and 30 local staff will be based in the headquarters of the mission in Niamey (Niger), with liaison officers in Bamako (Mali) and Nouakchott (Mauritania). For the first year, a budget of 8.7 million euro has been allocated. The mission will be launched in early August 2012.
 

More information:
Press flash (pdf)
EUCAP SAHEL Niger mission's web site
Factsheet on EUCAP SAHEL Niger (pdf)