EUCAP Sahel Niger: mission extended, budget agreed, mandate amended
On 18 July 2016, the Council extended the mandate of EUCAP Sahel Niger until 15 July 2018 and agreed on a budget of €26.3 million for the period 16 July 2016 to 15 July 2017.
The Council also adapted the mission's mandate to assist the Nigerien central and local authorities as well as the security forces in developing policies, techniques and procedures to better control and fight irregular migration. This adaptation follows the establishment of a permanent presence in the desert region of Agadez in central Niger.
Niger is facing security threats including terrorism, illegal trafficking of drugs, weapons and people, in particular in Northern Agadez, and is also a major regional transit hub for irregular migration. In October 2015, the Council doubled the mission's budget for the year to allow for a reinforcement of the operation to combine enhanced engagement in Niamey with a permanent presence in Agadez. This presence is key to supporting the Nigerien authorities in border andmigration management as well as in the fight against terrorism and organised crime.
EUCAP Sahel Niger was launched in 2012 to support capacity building of the Nigerien security actors. The mission provides advice and training to support the Nigerien authorities in strengthening their security capabilities. It contributes to the development of an integrated, coherent, sustainable, and human rights-based approach among the various Nigerien security agencies in the fight against terrorism and organised crime.