Brussels, 16/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 16 March, the EU launched a new mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) - the EUMAM RCA - as part of its common security and defence policy (CSDP). The goal of EUMAM RCA is to provide strategic advice for the reform of CAR's armed forces.
EUMAM RCA will act solely in Bangui, inserted in the CAR ministry of defence and general staff of the CAR army. It will have a maximum staff of 60 military advisers who will be under the command of Brigadier General Dominque Laugel from the French army. The agreed budget for the common costs has been set at €7.9 million for the next 12 months.
The Council of the EU's decision to launch the mission had to be modified because the minimum staff initially planned (40 advisers) could not be reached in time. The mission is thus currently essentially French, as its staff comprises 21 French advisers and a few other Europeans. To launch its initial activities, the mission has no other option than to depend temporarily on the French military operation on the ground (the SANGARIS force) - particularly to ensure the protection of its advisers and their medical evacuation should there be need. (Jan Kordys)