Spanish contingent in the European Union mission in Central African Republic relieved of duty

• The Spanish military personnel contribute to the training of the Armed Forces of Central African Republic and provide advisory support to their commanders.

The 19th Spanish contingent in the European Union Training Mission in the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA) has relieved the personnel of the 18th contingent.

The outgoing Chief of Staff of EUTM RCA, Colonel Juan Fernando Linares Martínez, has handed over command to Colonel Francisco Javier Álvarez Roy.

During the transfer of authority ceremony, Colonel Linares highlighted the important national contribution to the mission and the pride of having deployed under the flags of the EU and Spain. The EUTM RCA mission strengthens the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Central African Republic (FACA by its Spanish acronym) and contributes to improving stability in the area.

The new contingent will remain deployed until May 2025. Among the scheduled tasks are important milestones for the operation, such as the inauguration of the NCO training course and the officers' course at Camp Kassai.

Since its creation on 19 April 2016, the Mission's mandate has been modified and extended on several occasions. In this regard, on 6 September, the Council of Europe decided to extend the mission's third mandate by one year, until 19 September 2025.

Spanish participation in the EUTM RCA mission

The European Union Training Mission in the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA) is a non-executive mission, which is intended to contribute to the European Union's efforts in advising the Central African Republic authorities and developing the leadership of young leaders (officers and non-commissioned officers) of the Armed Forces of the Central African Republic (FACA). In this way, it contributes to the security sector reform led by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), in order to strengthen its capacity to contribute to the defence of its territory and the protection of its population.

 Currently, Spain is contributing seven military personnel from the Spanish Army, making it the third country in terms of the number of troops deployed, out of the nine EU countries contributing to this mission in Central African Republic. Additionally, the Spanish colonel serves as the mission's Chief of Staff.