European Union Capacity Building Mission in Niger


EUCAP Sahel Niger is a civilian capacity-building mission in Niger, launched by the EU in 2012 under its Common Security and Defence Policy. Since 2018, the Head of Mission is Frank Van der Mueren, a senior Belgian police officer.

Mandate

The mandate of EUCAP Sahel Niger was last extended by the EU until September 2020. Currently, the Mission is composed of around 120 European experts.
Since its inception in 2012, the Mission has been mandated to train and advise the Nigerien internal security forces, notably the Police Nationale, the Gendarmerie and the Garde Nationale, with a focus on combatting terrorism and organised crime. More specifically, support to the country's internal security forces include the following:
In response to a request from the Nigerien government, the Mission was established by the Council of the EU in July 2012, initially for a two year period. The request was prompted by growing concerns over terrorism and organised crime in the region. Colonel Francisco Espinosa Navas was appointed to lead EUCAP Sahel Niger for the first year.
The Mission's headquarters was set up in Niamey with two liaison offices in Bamako and Nouakchott. Whereas the liaison offices in the neighbouring countries were later closed, a field office was opened in the country's northern town of Agadez in 2016.