Brussels, 16/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - The EU Council of Ministers gave the go-ahead on Monday 16 July for a new Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) mission to support the fight against organised crime and terrorism in the Sahel region: EUCAP SAHEL Niger. The decision creates the legal basis for the mission, which is to get under way in August.
The civilian mission is part of the EU strategy for security and development in the Sahel and responds to an invitation from the Nigerien government. Activities will initially focus on Niger, but could be extended to Mali and Mauritania at a later stage.
EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said: “Increased terrorist activity and the consequences of the conflict in Libya have dramatically heightened insecurity in the Sahel. The new mission will contribute to strengthening local capacity in fighting terrorism and organised crime. European experts will train the Nigerien security forces to improve their control of the territory and regional cooperation”.
The mission will, in particular, advise the different Nigerien security players on the implementation of their security strategy, support regional coordination in the fight against terrorism and organised crime and assist in developing a penal process based on the rule of law. The mission will also contribute to identifying projects in the security field that could be financed from EU assistance. It will not have any executive tasks.
EUCAP SAHEL Niger is initially due to last for two years. A team of around 50 international and 30 local staff will be based in the headquarters of the mission in Niamey (Niger), with liaison officers in Bamako (Mali) and Nouakchott (Mauritania). A budget of €8.7 million has been allocated for the first year. The EU strategy for security and development in the Sahel, of which the mission is part, focuses initially on Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Algeria. It encompasses political, humanitarian, development dimensions and a strong security component. (LC/transl.rt)