EUMAM RCA I

The Spanish Army has again deployed forces in the Central African Republic, barely two months after a previous mission in the country had come to an end. It is back under the umbrella of the European Union but in the context of a very different mission.

During the seven-month EUFOR RCA (the European Union mission to CAR, RCA by its French acronym), the members of the Spanish Special Operations Command were involved in several armed confrontations due to the situation of instability and lack of security in the country, consequence of the rivalry between the Seleka (radical Muslim militias) and the anti-Balaka (Christian and animist self-defence groups). Their efforts contributed to achieving a certain level of stability in the capital, Bangui, therefore this new mission will be advisory and is not expected to include combat.

The new Spanish contingent is made up of over 20 soldiers; its last members arrived on 8 May from the Balearic Islands General Command (COMGEBAL by its Spanish acronym). At its head is Colonel Juan J. Martín, who will be second in command of the EU Military Advisory Mission to CAR (EUMAM RCA). He knows the terrain well; he was Chief of Staff of EUFOR RCA.

As well as Colonel Martín, the team of Spanish military advisors includes two other officers who were the first to arrive, in late May. They will join advisors from the other participating countries (Austria, France, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Sweden) to make up multinational teams. Their objective is to support the authorities of the country in the development of the next wave of reforms to the security sector with the aim of modernising it and making it more efficient.

The advisors will be accompanied by three other teams: One will be entrusted with supporting the chief of the contingent at headquarters (two soldiers); another, with seeing to the needs of the contingent (five soldiers); and the third, with escorting and protecting it (12 soldiers). The latter was set up by COMGEBAL with members of the 47th Light Infantry Regiment “Palma”.

Congressional authorisation

Participation in the new mission was agreed during the Cabinet meeting on 30 April after minister of Defence Pedro Morenés obtained authorisation from the Defence Committee in the Spanish Congress. This mission represents a continuation of EU efforts to stabilise CAR and train its armed forces.

Once the new mission reaches full operational capability, it is expected to last for one year.