Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/610 of 19 April 2016 on a European Union CSDP Military Training Mission in the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA)

The Union shall conduct a CSDP Military Training Mission in the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA) in order to contribute to the Defence Sector Reform in the CAR within the Central African Security Sector Reform process coordinated by MINUSCA.

Working towards the goal of modernised, effective and democratically accountable Central African Armed Forces (FACA), EUTM RCA shall provide:

1. strategic advice to the Central African Republic’s Ministry of Defence and to the FACA General Staff in support of the creation of capable security forces under democratic control that respect human rights, international humanitarian law and international standards regarding gender issues, the protection of civilians, the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda and the Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) agenda, as well as advice to training establishments for commissioned and non-commissioned officers of the FACA in order to create a capable leadership education system;

2. education to the FACA in non-operational domains, including human rights, international humanitarian law, gender issues, the protection of civilians, the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda and the Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) agenda;

3. if the Political and Security Committee decides that conditions are met, training to the FACA;

4. support for the strategic communication efforts to foster Union values, promote Union action and expose violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law by foreign forces in the Central African Republic.

EUTM RCA shall provide within its means and capabilities military, security and rule-of-law expertise to the Union delegation to the Central African Republic.

EUTM RCA shall coordinate with the European Union CSDP Advisory Mission in the Central African Republic (EUAM RCA) and other international actors, in particular MINUSCA, with a view to ensuring the provision of a coherent integrated support to the Government and security forces of the Central African Republic.

EUTM RCA shall operate in accordance with the political and strategic objectives set out in the Crisis Management Concept approved by the Council on 14 March 2016.

The Director of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) shall be EUTM RCA mission commander.

Brigadier General Herman Ruys is hereby appointed EU Mission Force Commander of EUTM RCA.

The MPCC shall be the static command and control structure at the military strategic level outside the area of operations, which is responsible for the operational planning and conduct of EUTM RCA.

The Mission Force Headquarters of EUTM RCA shall be located in Bangui and shall operate under the command of the Mission Force Commander.

A support cell in Brussels of the Mission Force Headquarters shall be included in the MPCC until the MPCC has reached full operational capacity.

The Rules of Engagement applicable to EUMAM RCA shall be applicable to EUTM RCA in its planning phase in the Bangui province.

EUTM RCA shall be launched by a Council Decision on the date recommended by the EU Mission Commander following approval of the Mission Plan and of the Rules of Engagement.

Under the responsibility of the Council and of the HR, the PSC shall exercise the political control and strategic direction of EUTM RCA. The Council hereby authorises the PSC to take the relevant decisions in accordance with Article 38 TEU. This authorisation shall include the powers to amend the planning documents, including the Mission Plan and the Rules of Engagement. It shall also include the powers to take decisions on the appointment of subsequent the EU Mission Force Commanders. The powers of decision with respect to the objectives, scope and the termination of EUTM RCA, as well as the general conditions for the implementation of its tasks, shall remain vested in the Council.

The PSC shall report to the Council at regular intervals.

The PSC shall, at regular intervals, receive reports from the chairman of the EU Military Committee (EUMC) regarding the conduct of EUTM RCA. The PSC may invite the EU Mission Commander and the EU Mission Force Commander to its meetings, as appropriate.