EUTM SOMALIA

The European Union Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM Somalia) was launched on 7 April 2010 and has since been extended to the present day, with a total of nine mandates.

2010 – 1st Mandate: Conducted in Uganda and focused on platoon-level training and leadership. 2011 – 2nd Mandate: Training expanded to company level and Train-the-Trainers (TtT) courses were introduced.

2013 – 3rd Mandate: The mission relocated to Mogadishu. Advisory and mentoring support was provided to the Ministry of Defence and the Headquarters.

2015 – 4th Mandate: Mentoring was implemented at Somalia’s main training camp. Advisory capabilities were strengthened.

2017 – 5th Mandate: Support was extended to the training section of the SNAF Headquarters. TtT courses continued to be promoted.

2019 – 6th Mandate: The development of the Somali-Owned Training System (SOTS) was promoted. 2021 – 7th Mandate: Efforts towards SOTS were consolidated. Coordination with EUCAP was expanded to improve the EU’s comprehensive approach.

2023 – 8th Mandate: The focus remained on SOTS and TtT courses. Advisory support was expanded. 2025 – 9th Mandate: The mission’s focus shifted towards advisory activities. Training was extended to the Somali Navy.

EUTM Somalia carries out its mandate through a three‑pillar approach focused on training, mentoring and providing strategic advice to the Somali National Armed Forces.

Over the years, the mission has refocused its tasks to support the internal development of specialist functions such as leadership, command and control, countering improvised explosive devices (IEDs), medical care and logistics.

EUTM Somalia contributes to an intensive training programme at the Daghabadan General Training Centre, near Mogadishu.

In close cooperation with the European Peace Facility, the mission provides advice on the needs of the Somali National Armed Forces and on training courses for new equipment.

The European Union supports Somali institutions in their efforts towards a peaceful Somalia. It continues to work with the Federal Government of Somalia and supports its efforts to improve living conditions for the population, including in the areas of security and the provision of basic services.

The EU supports the principles set out in the Djibouti Peace Agreement, including the spirit of reconciliation and the pursuit of an inclusive process in Somalia. In addition to EUTM Somalia, several EU instruments contribute to the development of the security sector in Somalia, in cooperation with international partners.

The European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) – Operation ATALANTA contributes to the prevention and deterrence of piracy and the protection of vulnerable shipping.

The EU also contributes to the development of the coastguard and the judiciary in Somalia, among other countries, through its regional civilian mission EUCAP Somalia. Furthermore, EU development aid, including education and job creation programmes, supports alternative livelihoods and contributes to the development of economic opportunities that draw young Somalis away from criminal activities and extremism.

The EU collaborates and coordinates its activities with those of other missions and agencies in the area of operations, such as the African Union mission AUSSOM (African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia), the British training mission TANGHAM, and the United Nations missions UNTMIS (United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia), UNSOS (United Nations Support Office in Somalia), as well as the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

Spanish participation in EUTM Somalia was approved by the Council of Ministers on 23 April 2010, following approval by the Spanish Parliament.

Spain was the first country to take command of this training mission when it was launched in Uganda in May 2010. The first Spanish personnel deployed were 18 instructors from the Army Training and Doctrine Command. They delivered specialised training modules, including platoon command, urban combat, communications, explosive ordnance disposal and medical care.

Currently, more than 20 Spanish servicemembers are participating in the mission, holding key positions in various areas of the headquarters, such as intelligence, logistics, planning and the IT department. Spanish military personnel also play a prominent role in the mission’s three fundamental pillars: training, mentoring and advisory support. Spanish leadership within the mission is notable, with two colonels heading its main structures: the Joint Staff and the Training Team Headquarters.

2026

• April 27th. Medal presentation ceremony for EUTM personnel.
• April 11th. Colonel José María Jiménez Portillo assumes command of the Spanish EUTM‑S contingent and the Joint Staff.
• February 3rd. Meeting of the Somalia Defence Committee.
• January 28th. Visit by General Sean Clancy, Director of the European Union Military Committee.
• January15th. Closing of the Basic Officers’ Course.

2025

• December 17th. Medal presentation ceremony for EUTM personnel.
•  December 4t. Visit by the Spanish Ambassador in Nairobi to EUTM personnel.
• August 11th. Colonel Enrique Cobo Romero assumes command of the Spanish EUTM‑S contingent and the Joint Staff Headquarters.

2024

• December 17th. Colonel José Luis Vázquez Pombo assumes command of the Spanish EUTM-S contingent.

2023

• February 22 th.Colonel Javier Carlos Sánchez Guerra assumes command of the Spanish EUTM-S contingent.

2022 

• September 11th. The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles, visits EUTM-S
• July 17th. The Chief of Defence (JEMAD) visits the members of EUTM-S
• June 20tth. Colonel Manuel José Martín Rico takes over command of the Spanish EUTM-S contingent, occupying at the same time the position of Head of Training Team Leader.
• April 27th. Colonel Jesús Fuente Simón takes over as Chief of Staff of the EUTM Headquarters (COS EUTM-S HQ).

2021 

• October 15th. Col. José Antonio Moscoso Sicardo leads the Spanish contingent and holds the position of Head of the training team.
• July 14th. Col. Juan I. Reyes Madridejos takes over as Head of the Spanish contingent. 
• January 28th. The eigth PLCC Course concludes with a CPX exercise, between Jan 23 to Jan 28.

2020 

• December 17th. Spanish CHOD visits Spanish troops deployed within EUTM-Somalia
• November 19th. The Spanish military deployed to EUTM-Somalia has taken over after eight months in Mogadishu.
• November 7th. Col. José Luis Sales takes over as Head of the Spanish contingent. 
• October 13th. The 7th training course for Company and Platoon leaders ends successfully.
• February 22nd. Col. Diego García Garrido takes over as commander of the Spanish troops deployed. 

 2019

• November 1st.  The EUTM misión reaches 5.000 troops trained.
• September 30th. EUTM Somalia concluded training of the 4^th Company of Somali Light Infantry.
• April 16th.  A total of 89 military personnel completed training of the 3rd Company of the 143rd Battalion of the Somali Army.

2018

• December. EUTM Somalia training team, led by Spain, finishes the 2018 year with more than 500 Somali soldiers trained. EUTM Somalia faces its 6th Mandate, extending Europe's commitment to Somalia until December 2020.
•  April. The German and Dutch contingents are withdrawn from Somalia, after being part of EUTM-Somalia for 7 and 5 years respectively. 
• February. The Spanish instructor team trains two Companies integrating the Infantry Battalion of the Somali Armed Forces.

2016

• November. Italy expresses its commitment to maintain its command till December 2018.

2015

• March 16. The European Union extends the mission till December 31, 2016.

2014

• January. The mission is moved from Uganda to Somalia.

2010

• May 4. EUTM-Somalia begins its operating phase under Spanish command.
• April 23. The Council of Ministers approves the operation.
• April 22. The Congress of Deputies authorises participation of Spanish soldiers in the mission.
• January 25. The European Union agrees to create a training mission for Somali security forces.