EUTM Somalia - Europa

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units exercise exclusively with Somali junior leaders, mentored by EUTM and UPDF trainers.
Language provides a further complication with up to four languages in use at any one training
intervention. EUTM trainers must deliver in English (thereby personally translating from their native
tongue); this is converted by an English-speaking Kenyan interpreter to Swahili and Somali. Some
A Somali Platoon Commander, her Sergeant,
French Trainer and Kenyan Interpreter
EUTM instructors have succeeded in
mastering rudimentary Somali to lessen
this problem. Realism in training is not
difficult to achieve as both trainers and
trainees know that the final outcome of
the training is deployment on combat
operations in Somalia. The quality
of the training is highly respected by
the NSF with the result that Bihanga
graduates have been used extensively
in combat situations. Regrettably this
has resulted in casualties including
some fatalities.
Training extends beyond military skills
alone and Somalis, who are for the most
part illiterate, learn about their country
as a complete and sovereign entity and
are urged outside their clan structures
to a broader level of understanding. They are taught aspects of the Laws of War, Humanitarian Law and
Gender Issues. However, the main task at hand is instructing them on war fighting capability in support
of the UN, AU and EU-backed TFG in order to establish a safe and secure Somalia.
Strategic Alignment
Internal customers for EUTM Somalia include the 27 member states (MS) of the EU and in particular the 12
states who currently directly contribute personnel to the mission. All actions taken by the mission and all
reports are carefully scrutinised by such MS through their permanent military representations in Brussels.
In keeping with the structure of our HQ
as a Mission HQ, combining both FHQ
and OHQ, the Commander is frequently
invited to update the PSC, the EUMC/
CHODs and Defence Minister meetings
on the current situation in theatre. Key
leader engagements with the mission
stakeholders (UN, AU, AMISOM, US,
UPDF and EU Delegations) are also
frequent and necessary to ensure that
the mission remains aligned with the
broader concept of the EU Strategic
Framework for the Horn of Africa
and Somalia. The EU has adopted a
comprehensive approach with many
strands towards East Africa. EUTM
Somalia is but a small part of this wider
template. The end state for the mission
is to impart the training skills to local
Wishing the new graduates good fortune
for the future
actors and assist the legitimate Somali government and army in developing their own organic military
training capability in Somalia.