The minister of Defence visits the Spanish contingent in Somalia

The Spanish Army soldiers who are taking part in the European Union Training Mission in Somalia received the visit of the acting minister of Defence, Pedro Morenés, on 12 January. The trip is part of the tour the incumbent minister has embarked on for learn first-hand about the situation of the country’s international missions.

During his stay in Mogadishu, Morenés was escorted by Coronel César Sáenz de Santamaría, head of the Spanish contingent and Chief of Staff of the mission, who updated him on the details of the operation and the state of the contingent. The minister was also accompanied by Coronel Luis Carcaño, head of the training team, and held a meeting with Italian General Antonio Maggi, head of the mission.

Pedro Morenés thanked the Spanish soldiers for their efforts and dedication to security and stability in a region as sensitive as the Horn of Africa and for their contribution to a peaceful future for Somalia.

The aims of EUTM-Somalia are to advise the Somalian authorities at the political and strategic levels and to provide specific training to the Somalian armed forces. Spain has been taking part in this mission since it was launched, back in 2010, first in Uganda and since 2014 in Somalia itself.

As well as the 13 Spanish soldiers currently stationed in Mogadishu, the mission includes a Spanish officer in Nairobi (Kenya) and another one in Brussels (Belgium). Spain is the second country in terms of contributing soldiers to EUTM-Somalia, which comprises twelve countries (eleven from the EU and Serbia).

The minister during his visit to the contingent (Photo: MINISDEF)