European Union Capacity Building Mission in Niger

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EUCAP Sahel Niger is a civilian capacity-building mission in Niger, launched by the EU in 2012 under its Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). Since 2018, the Head of Mission is Frank Van der Mueren, a senior Belgian police officer.[1]

Mandate[]

The mandate of EUCAP Sahel Niger was last extended by the EU until September 2020. Currently, the Mission is composed of around 120 European experts.[2]

Since its inception in 2012, the Mission has been mandated to train and advise the Nigerien internal security forces, notably the Police Nationale, the Gendarmerie and the Garde Nationale, with a focus on combatting terrorism and organised crime. More specifically, support to the country's internal security forces include the following:

  • Support the security forces in improving their interoperability and with establishing common operating strategies.
  • Support the security forces in improving their technical competencies, including their human resources, training and logistics management policies.
  • Support the security forces in improving their control over migratory flows and irregular migration and their fight against associated criminal activity.
  • Support the country with coordinating regional and international efforts on the fight against terrorism and organised crime.[1]

History[]

In response to a request from the Nigerien government, the Mission was established by the Council of the EU in July 2012,[3] initially for a two-year period. The request was prompted by growing concerns over terrorism and organised crime in the region.[4] Colonel Francisco Espinosa Navas was appointed to lead EUCAP Sahel Niger for the first year.[5]

The Mission's headquarters was set up in Niamey with two liaison offices in Bamako (Mali) and Nouakchott (Mauritania).[6] Whereas the liaison offices in the neighbouring countries were later closed, a field office was opened in the country's northern town of Agadez in 2016.[7]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "About EUCAP Sahel Niger". EEAS - European External Action Service - European Commission. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  2. ^ "EUCAP Sahel Niger: Council extends the mission for two years". www.consilium.europa.eu. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  3. ^ "Political and Security Committee Decision EUCAP SAHEL Niger/1/2012 of 17 July 2012 on the appointment of the Head of Mission of the European Union CSDP Mission in Niger (EUCAP SAHEL Niger)". Euroalert.net. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  4. ^ "HISTORIQUE DE L'OPÉRATION EUCAP SAHEL NIGER" (in French). 17 October 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  5. ^ "POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION EUCAP SAHEL NIGER/1/2012". Official Journal of the European Union. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  6. ^ "Africa in Focus: Three New Civilian CSDP-Missions" (PDF). ZIF. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  7. ^ "Factsheet: Common Security and Defense Policy - Civilian Mission EUCAP Sahel Niger (August 2018) - Niger". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
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