The decision launches the European Union (EU) Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM Somalia), aiming to strengthen the Somali federal defence institutions by providing training, mentoring and advice and coordinating with other international partners. It focuses on increasing the proficiency, effectiveness, credibility and accountability of the Somali defence sector so that Somali authorities can progressively take over security responsibilities.

KEY POINTS

Mission

The decision launched EUTM Somalia, which is designed to build up and strengthen the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), accountable to the Somali government, in line with Somali needs and priorities, and to support the Somalia Transition Plan in transferring security responsibilities to the Somali authorities.

The mission, as modified and extended over subsequent years – most recently in 2022 – involves a mandate and a set of objectives consisting of:

tactical training to company level;
specialist training;
strategic advisory and mentoring activities;
leadership and specialised courses defined jointly with the Somali authorities;
support for a Somali-owned military training system.

The main focus of the initiative currently:

supports the development of a Somali-owned military training system, with a view to gradually handing over responsibility for training to the SNAF by the end of 2024 by mentoring, training and maintaining the ability to track and assess the units it has trained;
supports other EU actors in implementing their respective security and defence mandates in Somalia (where necessary and within its capabilities), particularly the European Union Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia), with regard to the interoperability between the SNAF and the Somali police forces;
facilitates support provided by the European Peace Facility, in particular by advising the SNAF on how to identify when they require assistance, and supports the European External Action Service and EU Member States in delivering this assistance;
plans and carries out decentralised activities in support of the SNAF regional headquarters (subject to approval by the EU’s Political and Security Committee (PSC) and within its capabilities).

Implementing these activities is dependent on the security conditions in Somalia and political guidance from the PSC.

EU commander and mission headquarters

The Director of the EU’s Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) is nominated as EUTM Somalia Mission Commander.
The MPCC forms the static command and control structure at the strategic level outside the area of operations responsible for the operational planning and conduct of EUTM Somalia.
The mission force headquarters is in Mogadishu and operates under the command of the EU Mission Force Commander, with support cells in Brussels and Nairobi and a liaison office in Djibouti.

Political control and strategic direction

Under the responsibility of the Council of the European Union and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the PSC is responsible for the political control and strategic direction of the mission.
The Council authorises the PSC to take decisions, including the power to amend the mission plan and the chain of command and to appoint the EU Mission Force Commander.
The EU Mission Force Commander receives local political guidance from the EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, coordinated with relevant EU delegations in the region.
EUTM Somalia maintains coordination with Operation Atalanta, EUCAP Somalia and the relevant EU assistance programmes.
The PSC reports regularly to the Council and receives reports from the chairman of the EU Military Committee (EUMC).

Military direction

The EUMC monitors the military mission and receives reports from the EU Mission Force Commander, whose primary point of contact is the Chair of the EUMC.

The EU military mission operates in close cooperation with other international actors in the region, in particular the United Nations and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), in line with the agreed requirements of the Somali government.

Non-EU countries

Non-EU countries may be invited to take part in the mission. Countries making significant military contributions will have the same rights and obligations in terms of day-to-day management of the mission as Member States taking part in the mission.

FROM WHEN DOES THE DECISION APPLY?

The decision launching the mission took effect on 5 February 2010. The mission is due to end on 31 December 2024.

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

European Union Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia).

MAIN DOCUMENT

Council Decision 2010/96/CFSP of 15 February 2010 on a European Union military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces (OJ L 44, 19.2.2010, pp. 16–19).

Successive amendments to Decision 2010/96/CFSP have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

last update 25.05.2023

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