On Tuesday 6 March, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini expressed optimism regarding making up for the lack of personnel in EU training missions: EUTM Mali, Somalia and the Central African Republic.
Speaking at the end of the Foreign Affairs Council in defence format, Mogherini explained: “I have seen the determination (of ministers) to invest still more in our training missions including with human resources. It is a wise thing to do”. She went on to add: “It was useful to tell ministers of the shortfall in personnel as (...) there have been offers to increase the contribution of member states in terms of personnel in Brussels and in the training missions. I am truly encouraged by the fact that some have even given the number of persons that they will deploy”. These figures have not been disclosed.
The problem is not the only one. “It is recurrent. It is still difficult to find men”, a national source said.
According to the same source, eight posts out of the 23 for the military planning and conduct capability (MPCC) based in Brussels have not been filled and, out of the 15 posts available, most are double-hatted. There is also a lack of personnel in the three EUTM missions, including a shortfall of around 20 in Mali. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)