Common Security and Defence Policy: Difference between revisions

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==EUCAP Somalia==

The EUCAP Somalia<ref>{{Cite web |title=About EUCAP Somalia {{!}} EEAS |url=https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eucap-som/about-eucap-somalia_en?s=332 |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=www.eeas.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref> is an example of a non-executive, civilian Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Mission aimed at strengthening maritime security capacities, police sector, as well as promoting the [[Rule of law|Rule of Law]] in [[Somalia]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Décision 2012/389/PESC du Conseil du 16 juillet 2012 relative à la mission de l’Union européenne visant au renforcement des capacités maritimes régionales dans la Corne de l’Afrique (EUCAP NESTOR) |date=2012-07-16 |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/FR/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32012D0389 |access-date=2024-09-27 |language=fr}}</ref>. It provides strategic level advice, mentoring and training, on issues ranging from coast guard and police functions to police-prosecution cooperation and the drafting of laws. Initially launched as EUCAP Nestor<ref>{{Cite web |title=EUCAP NESTOR, Somali Coastguard and Maritime Police Unit Visit Operation Atalanta Flagship HNLMS Tromp {{!}} EUNAVFOR |url=https://eunavfor.eu/news/eucap-nestor-somali-coastguard-and-maritime-police-unit-visit-operation-atalanta-flagship |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=eunavfor.eu}}</ref> in 2012, the mission was reconfigured to focus on Somalia, thus renamed by the Council of the European Union, EUCAP Somalia in 2016.

==== Background ====

The mission was established in response to the persistent challenges posed by maritime insecurity in the Western Indian Ocean, particularly piracy, illegal fishing, human trafficking, and arms smuggling. These issues severely impacted both the security and economic stability of Somalia and the surrounding region. Somalia’s extensive coastline (the longest in mainland Africa) was unprotected for years due to the collapse of the government in the early 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=EU Missions in Somalia: Successes, Challenges and Future Prospects |url=https://www.pubaffairsbruxelles.eu/opinion-analysis/eu-missions-in-somalia-successes-challenges-and-future-prospects/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=PubAffairs Bruxelles |language=en-US}}</ref>. Piracy flourished in the absence of effective maritime governance, leading to international efforts to assist the country in reclaiming control over its waters. EUCAP Somalia emerged as part of these efforts, complementing other international missions such as [[Operation Atalanta]] and [[European Union Training Mission in Somalia|EUTM Somalia]].

=== Mandates ===

==== From 2012 to 2016 ====

EUCAP Nestor's mandate is divided into two objectives: strengthening the maritime capacities of the beneficiary countries (excluding Somalia) and training a coastal police force and judges in Somalia, the primary aim being to get the countries in the region to work together to strengthen action at sea. EUCAP Nestor operates in five countries: [[Djibouti]], [[Kenya]], [[Seychelles]], Somalia ([[Puntland]]/[[Somaliland]]) and [[Tanzania]]. This is why it is relatively large in terms of staff numbers, with almost 200 people spread across the different countries. These experts will provide legal, strategic and operational advice on maritime safety.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=https://www.bruxelles2.eu/2012/05/16/eucap-nestor-une-mission-de-200-personnes-aux-multiples-facettes/#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=archive.wikiwix.com}}</ref>.

==== From 2016 to 2021 ====

When the name was changed in December 2016, so too was the mandate. EUCAP Somalia will drop its regional ambitions and focus solely on Somalia, and more specifically on the Coast Guard, with a view to strengthening ‘Somali maritime law enforcement capabilities’. The mandate is not limited to piracy, but covers any criminal activity or offence committed on the coast or in the sea.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Decision - 2022/2445 - EN - EUR-Lex |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec/2022/2445/oj |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=eur-lex.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref>.

==== From 2021 ====

In December 2020, the Council of the European Union extended Eucap's mandate until 31 December 20224. From 2021 onwards, the mission will also be helping Somalia to strengthen its police capabilities, in particular by developing the Federal Darwish police force and reinforcing the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in [[Mogadishu]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=https://basedoc.diplomatie.gouv.fr/vues/Kiosque/FranceDiplomatie/kiosque.php?fichier=bafr2021-01-06.html#Chapitre5#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=archive.wikiwix.com}}</ref>. The EU's budget for the period 2023-2024 allocated is 81 million €.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About EUCAP Somalia {{!}} EEAS |url=https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eucap-som/about-eucap-somalia_en?s=332 |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=www.eeas.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref>.

=== Achievements ===

Since its reconfiguration in 2016, EUCAP Somalia has made significant strides in enhancing Somalia’s maritime security capabilities. Recent achievements include improving the Somali Police Force's (SPF) command, control, and communication capabilities, as well as enhancing their ability to manage security incidents in Mogadishu. EUCAP has deployed a specialized multinational team to support the SPF's Maritime Police Unit and has played a key role in the development of Somaliland’s Coast Guard, conducting joint exercises with EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA. The mission also trained and equipped the Puntland Maritime Police Force, enhancing their capacity to enforce maritime law. Additionally, EUCAP has supported the Somali Attorney General’s Maritime Crimes Unit by providing training in internal procedures and investigations and launching an internship program for young lawyers. Despite the progress, Somalia continues to face challenges in maritime governance due to political instability and resource limitations, but EUCAP remains committed to addressing these issues with Somali authorities and international partners.<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://www.sipri.org/publications/2020/sipri-background-papers/european-union-training-mission-somalia-assessment |title=The European Union Training Mission in Somalia: An Assessment |date=November 2020-11 |publisher=SIPRI |language=en}}</ref>.

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