In today’s Council of Ministers, the Federal Government decided on Austria’s participation in the new EU mission in Niger. The deteriorating security situation in West Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, including Mali and Burkina Faso, and the spread of the terrorist threat to the coastal states on the Gulf of Guinea, make new European measures in West Africa and the Sahel necessary. With the new EU Partnership Mission (EUMPM Niger), which is due to start on April 23, the EU is continuing its security policy commitment in the Sahel.
Based on the decision of the Council of Ministers and following approval by the Main Committee of the National Council, Austria will participate in the new EU mission in Niger with up to ten servicewomen and men in the advisory and training mission, up to 30 additional members of the Austrian Armed Forces for preparatory and support activities and up to 20 additional members of the Austrian Armed Forces for the deployment of the C-130 air transport system as part of air transports or Aeromedevac until December 31, 2024. The total number of soldiers to be deployed for this mission is currently being reviewed internally and with European partners. “Niger is an anchor of political stability in the Sahel. If we want to prevent flight and illegal migration, we have to work preventively. And this is where Austria can make a valuable contribution in Niger to prevent terrorism in the long term, thereby containing the threat to Europe and making a positive contribution to increased stability and resilience in the Sahel region. One route of illegal migration runs directly through Niger all the way to the Mediterranean. Islamist jihadism is a key threat to the population in Africa. With Austria’s support for this new EU partnership mission, we are responding to Niger’s request to help build up the Nigerien armed forces in order to ensure lasting stability in the region. After all, this is about Europe’s and therefore also Austria’s security,” said Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner. “The geopolitical environment has become rougher with the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. We can see that the Russian narrative is having an impact in Africa in particular and that the Western community is losing ground here. As the EU, we must not leave the field to other players, but must continue to show our colors. Austria’s participation strengthens security in Niger, which also means more security for Europe,” said Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg. https://militaeraktuell.at/zweiter-leonardo-aw169-lion-uebergeben/ The strategic situation
As a member state of the European Union and the “Coalition for the Sahel”, Austria’s participation in “EUPM Niger” is a contribution to European efforts to stabilize the Sahel – in the sense of a coherent approach to Austrian foreign, development, security and defence policy. The duration of the mission is initially set until December 31, 2024.
Austria’s contribution
The EU mission will focus on training technicians and setting up a new battalion for logistical support. To this end, up to ten soldiers will advise and train the Nigerien armed forces in staff functions and as trainers. “European Military Partnership Mission in Niger”
The main task of “EUMPM Niger” will be to help set up and develop a center for the training of technical specialists in the armed forces, to provide advice and specialist training for specialists in the Nigerien armed forces if required, and to support the development of a new battalion for leadership and command support through training and advice. The “EUMPM Niger” is based on a “train, equip, infrastructure” and partnership approach. Unlike existing EU training missions, the permanent footprint should be as small but effective as possible and take place on an equal footing with the host state. The operational area of the “EUMPM Niger” is the entire territory of Niger. The EU mission will be a further support measure of the “European Peace Facility”. The “European Peace Facility” is the new global instrument for financing foreign policy measures with military or defense implications within the framework of the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy.
