The Council of the European Union decided on Monday 23 March to extend the scope of the mandate of the EU military mission helping with the training of Malian armed forces (EUTM Mali).
This mission will now be able to provide military assistance to the G5 Sahel Joint Force and the national armed forces of the G5 Sahel countries—Mali, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad—”through military advice, training and mentoring” delivered as non-executive support up to the tactical level. “EUTM Mali will follow a progressive and modular approach for those activities outside Mali in support of the G5 Sahel”, says a draft decision.
The mission will not be involved in combat operations.
The EU Council also extended the mission's mandate for four years, until 18 May 2024, and granted it a budget that will increase by EUR 133.7 million over the period.
The activities of the mission will continue to be carried out in close coordination and cooperation with other key players such as the United Nations, Operation Barkhane and the Economic Community of West African States, said the EU Council in its statement.
The mission, which was created in 2013 and is headquartered in Bamako, has been commanded since December 2019 by Portuguese Brigadier General João Boga Ribeiro. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)