Today the EU’s maritime capacity building mission in the Horn of Africa and Western Indian Ocean, EUCAP Nestor, celebrated together with its Somali and Djiboutian partners the successful completion of the first basic training provided to 20 members of Galmudug Coast Guard and 30 members of Bosaso Port Police.
The closing ceremony was held at the camp of the Djiboutian Gendarmerie, which hosted the trainees from different regions of Somalia for the past six weeks. The training ran from 22 April to 29 May and was held mainly at the Training Centre of the Djibouti Gendarmerie. Seven specialized trainers from EUCAP Nestor, plus legal and maritime experts, and several trainers from the French base carried out the course, which aimed to further enhance the trainees’ skills to proficiently and confidently carry out their duties within their respective law enforcement agencies.
For the ceremony, EUCAP Nestor’s Head of Mission, Etienne de Poncins, and the acting EU Civilian Operations Commander, General Gilles Janvier, present in Djibouti to support the mission after a terrorist attack in Djibouti left three EUCAP Nestor staff injured, were joined by Djibouti Minister of Interior Hassan Omar Mohamed, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Ali Hassan, Members of Parliament and dignitaries of the Federal Government of Somalia, the State Minister of Puntland, the Minister of Fishery, Marine Resources and Ports of Galmudug and other dignitaries from Puntland and Galmudug. During the ceremony, the Minister of Interior conveyed a message of support to EUCAP Nestor and to its injured staff.
At the closing ceremony, Civilian Operations Commander Gilles Janvier said: “The conclusion of this training despite the difficult circumstances (…) shows that the EU is committed to pursue its efforts and to achieve tangible results by strengthening Somali law enforcement capacities. We are pleased for the engagement of the Federal Government of Somalia and the regional entities of Puntland and Galmadug and look forward to continued collaboration on strengthening maritime security in the region”.
“This first basic training was a success, thanks to the invaluable support of all our partners, and last but not least thanks to the efforts made by the training team” said EUCAP Nestor Head of Mission, Etienne de Poncins expressing his gratitude towards all those who helped to make the course a success. “ Our efforts will not stop here and in the coming months a series of events are already foreseen such as a Regional Prosecutors Conference as well as another 6 weeks training for new recruits from Somali Maritime Security entities.”
The course content was developed in close cooperation with Puntland and Galmudug authorities. Theory was combined with practical exercises, addressing various areas, including basic crime scene investigation, first aid training, communications and navigation, firefighting, basic boarding and intervention techniques, swimming lessons, the International Law of the Sea, and human rights and gender issues. In addition, light equipment was donated to the two law enforcement agencies, including uniforms, sport outfits, first aid kits and life jackets that the students can now use in the execution of their tasks.
Building on the success of the course, EUCAP Nestor is planning to provide similar training to a new group of officers from the Bosaso Port Police and the Galmudug Coast Guard later this year.
Via: eucap-nestor.eu
