The EUTM CAR mission is a European operational training mission for the Central African Armed Forces (FACA). Its main mission is to support the Central African government in rebuilding its army, which has suffered from a long period of political instability, characterized by the fragility of the security situation.
The European Union Training Mission in the CAR was launched on July 16, 2016, at the request of the Central African government for an initial period of two years. On July 30, 2020, the Council of the European Union renewed the mandate of EUTM-RCA until September 19, 2022.
Nevertheless, in November 2021, the Council of the EU decides to temporarily suspend the activities of the EUTM mission in the Central African Republic. This decision is quite understandable since the failure of the European Union mission in CAR is obvious. The EUTM said they were unable to prepare a fully independent combat-ready force that would face the challenges of the current security situation because they did not have enough time.
In fact, the training of the EU mission consists of garrison troops, which will probably be of use to the country in a quieter time, but now there is a real threat in the form of militants and this issue needs to be resolved immediately.
Several members of the EU Parliament, specializing in military analysis noted that the EU Training Mission in the Central African Republic is not very helpful in stabilizing the current situation. Former Polish Foreign Minister Anna Fotyga said “the reality is that the training strategy used by the European Union in the Central African Republic, is neither adequate nor sufficient, as it does not attack the real security problems of the country, and is content to train soldiers in basic techniques and strategies, not adapted to the reality of their country”.
Indeed, the EUTM in CAR needs a strategic overhaul because its training methods are no longer tailored to local security situations. They use a “one size fits all” approach and do not take into account either the territorial characteristics of the country or cultural.
Central African Armed Forces (FACA) soldiers are taught to stand ground. This is the main problem of the law effectiveness of EUTM training, because the situation is much more complicated. The armed groups attack civilians, leaving their positions as the national army approaches. The rebels use internationally discouraged methods of warfare, such as sheltering civilians and using minors as soldiers.
During ongoing counter-armed group operations, the training provided by Russian instructors has proven to be more relevant and effective for the situation in the CAR.
According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute “Numerous testimonies collected on the spot show that the training provided by the Russians is better perceived than the training of the EUTM CAR, in particular, because they provide the equipment, go into the field with the Central African troops and also provide food, what Europeans don’t do”.