As per a recent report from a German newspaper, the European Union (EU) is currently in the process of planning a groundbreaking military-civilian mission set to take place in Africa by the end of 2023. The primary objective of this initiative is to counteract potential instability resulting from activities by jihadi groups in the region.
EU member states have reached a consensus to launch this mission in the Gulf of Guinea, situated in West Africa. As outlined by diplomats and cited in the article by Die Welt am Sonntag, the mission will involve the deployment of police officers and soldiers to Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Ivory Coast. The mission is designed to accomplish several critical goals, including bolstering the security forces across the four countries, particularly in their northern regions, through the provision of advice and training. Additionally, the mission will offer specialized “pre-deployment training” for anti-terrorist operations, extend technical support, and work towards fostering trust within the security sector.
The formal launch of this mission is contingent on a decision to be made by EU foreign ministers during their scheduled meeting in Luxembourg in October. The impetus behind this mission stems from the EU’s apprehension that extremist groups with a jihadist agenda in West Africa might expand their activities from the Sahel region towards the southern coastal nations along the Gulf of Guinea. Such an expansion could escalate instability across the region. Already, countries like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have experienced disruptions due to militant actions from groups affiliated with “Islamic State” and al-Qaida.
Furthermore, the EU aims to counter the influence of Russia in the region. This influence has been propagated through the involvement of Wagner mercenaries, who have lent support to military regimes in the Sahel. The situation in Niger, in particular, is of considerable significance to the EU, as the country serves as a crucial transit point for African migrants en route to Europe. By addressing these multifaceted concerns, the EU seeks to mitigate potential threats and foster stability in the region.
