Spain continues its participation in the European Union mission in Mozambique after its conversion to military assistance

• The Council of the European Union has agreed to realign the mission, which until now provided training to local forces, so that it is a military assistance mission as of September

The replacement of the two Spanish observers in EUTM-Mozambique coincides with the European Union's decision to extend the mission's mandate until June 2026 and to transform it into a military assistance mission. In September, it will move from an essentially training format to also carry out consultancy and technical support tasks.

The European Union established the EUTM Mozambique military training mission on 12 July 2021, with the objective of training and supporting the Mozambican Armed Forces in the protection of the civilian population and the restoration of security in the province of Cabo Delgado. This mission focuses on developing the capabilities of selected military units to form a future rapid reaction force by providing military training, operational readiness, specialized counter-terrorism training and education on the protection of civilians and compliance with humanitarian and human rights laws.

The Council of the European Union has decided to extend the mandate of the EUTM Mozambique mission until 30 June 2026. The mission will change from a training mission to a military assistance mission, named EU Military Assistance Mission Mozambique (EUMAM Mozambique) as of 1 September 2024.

This new mission will provide advice, mentoring and specialised training to the Rapid Reaction Force units of the Mozambican Armed Forces. The transition to EUMAM Mozambique is part of the EU's integrated approach, which encompasses humanitarian, peace-building, security and development actions in the region.

The national contribution to EUTM Mozambique is two military observers who are integrated in the Headquarter located in the capital of Mozambique, Maputo.

The new contingent members will have to adapt to the change of mandate and manage the transition to EUMAM Mozambique, continuing with the commitment to move forward according to the guidelines of the Global Strategy for the European Union's Foreign and Security Policy, supporting Common Security and Defense Policy missions and operations.