EUMAM Mozambique boosts local training capabilities with new rapid reaction units

• Lieutenant Colonel González-Lázaro leads the EUMAM mentoring team, which coordinates a new internal training system for the Mozambican Armed Forces

The European Union Military Assistance Mission in Mozambique (EUMAM MOZ) has successfully completed the latest ‘Training of Trainers’ course, a key milestone to ensure the autonomy of Mozambican forces to protect their territory and population. This activity has been led by the Training and Mentoring area, under the command of Spanish Lieutenant Colonel Bernardo González-Lázaro, and addresses the shortage of local instructors while paving the way for the most ambitious force regeneration cycle to date.

This latest training course was concluded at the Katembe Training Centre. Officers and non-commissioned officers from the 3rd Quick Reaction Force (QRF) have been trained to instruct their own colleagues. This solution, designed by the team of mentors, responds to the urgent need to fill the vacancies left by the instructors deployed in the Northern Operational Theatre.

In this way, EUMAM fulfils its own mandate not to directly train combat units, but to mentor local trainers, to ensure the long-term sustainability of the model.

Regeneration of Forces

In the near future, more than 500 members of the Mozambican Armed Forces will begin training under a dual stream model that optimizes the experience of veterans from the northern province of Cabo Delgado, where the population suffers the threat of jihadist terrorism.

The concept of dual stream is a tactical innovation introduced by EUMAM mentors. This system will differentiate instruction into two levels: a leveling stream for new recruits and a diagnostic stream for veterans returning from combat. This approach will allow real lessons learned to be extracted from combat in Cabo Delgado to update Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), increasing the operational effectiveness of units.

This new contingent includes reinforcements for the 3rd QRF (Marine Infantry Company) and the full activation of the 2nd Navy QRF with veteran personnel, as well as a new Army QRF (Commandos).

As a lesson learned from previous cycles, a mandatory preliminary phase of administrative and medical screening has been established prior to the start of tactical training, to ensure that personnel are in optimal condition for service.

International Coordination

Over the past week, several high-level meetings have been held with the Mozambique Armed Forces Operations Command to integrate the Mobile Training Teams (MTT) offered by Austria, France (FAZSOI) and Portugal. These specialised teams will provide critical capabilities in areas such as combat healthcare, vehicle maintenance, C-IED and ammunition handling.

At the same time, the commitment to international humanitarian law has been reinforced. Working sessions have been coordinated with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The aim is to ensure that QRF training includes, from the outset and with the support of neutral and impartial bodies, strict respect for human rights and the rules for the protection of civilians in conflict zones.

Through these actions, the Spanish contingent reaffirms its commitment to the mission's motto: “We are together,” working side by side with its European and Mozambican allies to promote stability and security in the region.