Somali-based piracy is a complex issue that can only ultimately be overcome by combining political and diplomatic efforts with military and legal action, development assistance and strong international co-ordination. With all these tools at its disposal, the EU is in a unique position to contribute to international efforts.
EU NAVFOR is therefore just one part of the EU’s “Comprehensive Approach” to Somalia, tackling both the current symptoms and root causes of the problem. To that end, other CSDP Missions in the region include:
While bearing all aspects of organised crime, piracy is a complex issue that can only be overcome by combining political and diplomatic efforts with military and legal action, development assistance and strong international coordination. With all these tools at its disposal, the European Union (EU) is in a unique position to contribute to international efforts, and addresses that challenge through a “comprehensive approach” tackling both current symptoms and root causes of the problem.
The EU is engaged in Somalia through a wide range of assistance measures that include development programmes, active diplomacy, EU staffed missions and operations in support of rule of law and security, and humanitarian assistance. Priority is given to promoting a peaceful environment in which human rights are respected and democratic institutions can develop. Providing basic social services and creating an environment for sustainable and equitable economic growth will improve the lives of the poorest and the most vulnerable groups.
The European Union Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia) is a civilian crisis management mission that supports the development of the Somali maritime security and police sectors, as well as promoting the rule of law.
The Mission was launched in July 2012 as EUCAP NESTOR to support countries in the Horn of Africa to develop maritime security. In December 2016, the Council of the European Union decided that the Mission will focus only on Somalia, including Somaliland, and subsequently it was renamed to EUCAP Somalia.
In December 2022, the Council of European Union extended the Mission’s mandate for another two years (2023-2024). The most prominent goals of the Mission are to help Somalia to generate robust, well trained police forces, contribute to secure one of the EU’s vital maritime trade routes, and assist to draft and implement sound legislative frameworks, including accountability systems. In the spirit of the EU integrated approach, it cooperates with the European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, the European Union Delegation to Somalia, the military European Union Training Mission to Somalia and the European Naval Force Operation Atalanta. The Mission’s budget for its current mandate is 81 million Euros.
EUCAP Somalia is based in Mogadishu with field offices in Somaliland and Puntland, and a back-office in Nairobi, Kenya.
Since 2010, EUTM Somalia has contributed to the training of approximately 3,600 Somali soldiers with a focus on the training of Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs), Junior Officers, specialists and trainers.
The idea of a common defence policy for Europe dates back to 1948 when the UK, France, and the Benelux signed the Treaty of Brussels. The Lisbon Treaty came into force in December 2009 and was a cornerstone in the development of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The treaty includes both a mutual assistance and a solidarity clause and allowed for the creation of the European External Action Service (EEAS) under the authority of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission (HR/VP). The two distinct functions of the newly created post give the HR/VP the possibility to bring all the necessary EU assets together and to apply a “comprehensive approach” to EU crisis management.