A logistics training team travels to Benin as part of the European Security and Defence Initiative

•  En el marco de la cooperación de la Unión Europea con los países del Golfo de Guinea, dos suboficiales de la Unidad Logística 24 (Melilla) imparten un curso de cuatro semanas en el país africano

Two non-commissioned officers from the Army's Logistics Unit No. 24 (ULOG 24) —part of the General Command of Melilla (COMGEMEL)— are teaching a specialised logistics training course to Beninese military personnel in the city of Cotonou, which will run until 31 October.

In this training activity, the main objective of the Spanish military personnel is to share their knowledge and experience in the training and management of a modern driving centre, as well as in the preparation of driving instructors for the Armed Forces of Benin. The Spanish team of instructors —Mobile Training Team/MTT— is made up of Second Lieutenant Juan Carlos Jiménez Capel and Brigade Jesús Manuel Úbeda Crespo; both are providing training to six soldiers from the Beninese Army at the facilities of the Direction de Matériel des Armées (DMA). At the end of this course, the Beninese students will be responsible for training future instructors in this field in their country's Navy and Air Force.

As Second Lieutenant Jiménez Capel points out, ‘this experience in Benin is proving highly positive, and I would like to highlight the excellent assessment and treatment received from the Beninese military. They have extensive experience and are demonstrating an outstanding level of performance during the course. The warmth and friendliness of both civilian and military personnel reflect the human and cultural richness of a country that, despite its challenges, is distinguished by its hospitality.’

This training initiative demonstrates Spain's commitment to international cooperation missions and to strengthening defence capabilities in West Africa, which contributes directly to regional security and stability in the Gulf of Guinea.

Spain in the EU SDI GoG

Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) Decision 2023/1599 established this European military cooperation initiative in Africa, which had the explicit support of Spain. Its main objective is to collaborate in the development of armed forces capable of containing and responding to the pressure exerted by armed terrorist groups in the West African countries where this cooperation is established: Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin.

Since October 2024, following a European-level planning process, Spain has actively participated in the EU SDI GoG. To date, Spanish military personnel have taught ten courses in Benin, including the current one, one in Ivory Coast and another in Ghana. The content has been very broad, ranging from logistics and countering improvised explosive devices to signals intelligence and electronic warfare, always in line with the interests of the armed forces of the African countries involved.