EU Mission Advisory Team in Somalia Enhances the Effectiveness of the Country’s Armed Forces

•  Among its activities is training, whose team is led by Spain

The Advisory Team deployed to the European Union Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM-S) provides strategic and operational support to the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of the Somali National Armed Forces, contributing to the development of a command structure capable of planning and coordinating military operations.

Under the leadership of an Italian colonel, the EUTM-S Advisory Team includes three Spanish military personnel alongside experts from various nations. This multinational composition brings together a diverse range of experiences and expertise, offering multiple perspectives that enhance the team’s initiatives.

Among its main activities are direct collaborations with the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces Headquarters, both based at Villa Gashandiga, as well as oversight and coordination meetings at the Military Academy, which is home to the Army Headquarters.

At the General Dhagabadan Training Center, the Training Team, led by Spain, conducts military training for Somali National Army units. Notably, for the first time, personnel from the Somali Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard have been integrated into the training sessions

Finally, the EUTM-S Advisory Team also monitors European Union projects, from the planning phase, during which advice is provided on the most suitable materials and equipment, to their delivery to the Somali Armed Forces.

These efforts aim to enhance logistics command and control capabilities, as well as to facilitate the specialized training of the country’s military personnel. Through these actions, the Advisory Team plays a key role in the development of a capable and accountable Somali Armed Forces, fostering a more modern, efficient defense structure aligned with international standards.

EUTM SOMALIA

EUTM Somalia is covered by the UN Security Council Resolution 1872 of May 2009. The European Union agreed on 25 January 2010 to launch it to contribute to the training of security forces in Somalia. The mission was initially deployed in Uganda until it moved to Mogadishu (Somalia) in 2014.

In 2010, Spain was the main driving force behind EUTM Somalia, and has participated in the mission since the beginning of its deployment. Currently, Spanish military personnel carry out training and advisory tasks in different areas, in addition to occupying important positions in the mission's headquarters, such as the Chief of Staff.