On 27 October, the European External Action Service (EEAS) announced that the training of the Libyan coast guard and navy as part of the EUNAVFOR MED Sophia operation began “this week… following a thorough and effective vetting process” (see EUROPE 11641). The first package of the training activities will be delivered over the next three months.
The training is taking place on board two EUNAVFOR MED vessels (one Italian, the other Dutch) for 78 trainees and 5 of their Libyan mentors. The EEAS states that the initial training package comprises various models, ranging from basic seamanship to more advanced specialist skills and includes a substantial focus on human rights and international law. Training is funded from the voluntary contributions from a number of EU member states through the Athena mechanism.
To further enhance the operation's ability to disrupt trafficking and smuggling networks, the Foreign Affairs Council (see EUROPE 11576) decided on 20 June to add two supporting tasks to the EUNAVFOR MED Sophia’s mandate: capacity building and training of the Libyan Navy Coast Guard and Libyan Navy, and implementation of the UN arms embargo on the high seas off the coast of Libya. The objective consists of three different phases (see EUROPE 11614) and seeks to enhance their capability to disrupt smuggling and trafficking in Libya and to perform search and rescue activities which will save lives and improve security in Libyan territorial waters.
Since the operation entered its active phase in October 2015, it has saved more than 29,300 lives in 200 rescue operations and has supported other organisations in the rescue of more than 41,200 persons. It has also contributed to the apprehension and transfer to the Italian authorities of 96 suspected smugglers and traffickers and neutralised 337 vessels. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)