A Delegation from the European External Action Service Visits the European Union Mission Contingent in the Central African Republic

• European representatives assessed the impact of training, advisory and support activities conducted with the Armed Forces of the Central African Republic

The European Union Training Mission in the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA) hosted a delegation from the European External Action Service (EEAS) with the aim of assessing the implementation of the mission’s mandate and analysing its contribution to the country’s security and stability. Over several days, the European representatives held meetings with the leadership of EUTM RCA, with the European Union Delegation in the Central African Republic (EUDEL RCA) and with representatives of the EU police mission EUAM RCA. They also attended working meetings with Central African civilian and military authorities in order to gain first-hand insight into their assessment of the development and impact of the mission.

The delegation also inspected the main facilities where EUTM RCA carries out training, advisory and support activities with the Central African Armed Forces (FACA). These included a visit to Camp Kassai, its main training centre in Bangui, where EUTM RCA instructors provide training and instruction.

The main purpose of the visit was to objectively assess the current situation of the mission and its operational environment, in order to gather reliable information that will serve as the basis for the upcoming strategic review of the EUTM RCA mandate. This process, promoted by the European Union Member States and the political authorities in Brussels, will make it possible to analyse the level of achievement of the established objectives and determine possible adjustments required to adapt the mission to the evolving security context.

EUTM RCA represents one of the pillars of the European Union’s security cooperation with the Central African Republic. The current mandate, approved by EU Member States and in force until next September, includes training, capacity-building, strategic advisory and institutional strengthening activities for the national armed forces.

Spanish participation in EUTM RCA

EUTM RCA was launched on 16 July 2016 at the request of the Government of the Central African Republic, within the framework of the European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). EUTM RCA is a non-executive mission whose objective is to contribute to the European Union’s efforts to advise Central African authorities in the field of security, while also supporting the leadership development of junior leaders (officers and non-commissioned officers) of the Armed Forces of the Central African Republic (FACA).

In this way, the mission contributes to the security sector reform led by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), thereby strengthening the country’s capacity to contribute to the defence of its territory and the protection of its population. This forms part of the EU’s integrated approach, which includes not only the military mission but also a police mission and a diplomatic representation coordinating the EU’s external action.

Spain has maintained a continuous presence in this European mission. At present, Spain contributes seven Spanish Army personnel: a Spanish colonel serves as the mission’s Chief of Staff, while the remaining personnel hold key positions within the EUTM RCA headquarters. In total, military personnel from nine EU countries and other partner nations make up this mission. Spain is the third-largest contributing nation in terms of deployed personnel.