The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, proposed in his proposal for an EU Council decision of 4 November, obtained by EUROPE, to extend the EUTM Somalia mission by 2 years, until 31 December 2022, and to amend the mandate of this armed forces training mission, launched in 2010.
The High Representative therefore believes that, from 2021, EUTM Somalia should support the implementation of the Somali Transition Plan for the transfer of security responsibilities to the Somali authorities.
According to him, the mission should, inter alia, assist in the development of the Somali-owned Training System (SOTS) with a view to gradually handing over, in principle, training to the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF) by the end of 2022, which would also coincide with the end of the mission's mandate.
EUTM Somalia shall, therefore, mentor the training of Somalis, which will be conducted by the Somalis themselves, and establish a capacity to track and assess units it has trained.
The High Representative also proposed that the EU mission should provide support, “as necessary and within its means and capabilities”, to other EU actors in the implementation of their respective mandates in the security and defence area in Somalia, notably to EUCAP Somalia with regard to the interoperability between SNAF and Somali Police Forces. The mission could also provide assistance to the African Peace Facility support package or “to any similar future package” to the Somali Security Forces, such as the future European Peace Facility.
In addition, the High Representative's proposal concerns the planning and conduct of decentralised activities by the EUTM mission in support of the regional headquarters of SNAF, within the limits of its means and capacities and subject to the approval by the Political and Security Committee.
Lastly, for the High Representative, in addition to a headquarters in Mogadishu and support cells in Brussels and Nairobi, a liaison office should be established in Djibouti. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)