12/12/2022 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 12 December, the Council of the European Union extended the mandates of the civilian capacity building mission EUCAP Somalia, the military training mission EUTM Somalia and the EU Naval Force Operation ATALANTA until 31 December 2024. ATALANTA’s mandate has been strengthened to enable it to better contribute to the implementation of the UN arms embargo in Somalia, to reduce drug trafficking, to support the fight against Al Shabaab and its sources of funding and to support the progress of the Somali government. The EU’s CSDP action in Somalia has been extended to support the strengthening of Somali security forces and institutions, with a view to a gradual takeover of security responsibilities from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia. (CG)