The new civilian mission in the Central African Republic (EUAM RCA) entrusted to a Portuguese colonel

(B2 - exclusive) The Europeans have chosen continuity to ensure the direction of the new civilian advisory mission for internal security forces (EUAM RCA) by entrusting this work to the current head of the interoperability pillar of the EUTM mission in the Central African Republic ( RCA), Paulo Soares

This appointment must be endorsed, according to our information, by the ambassadors of the Political and Security Committee (PSC) on Tuesday (December 17). P. Soares will be appointed for one year until December 8, 2020, his contract starting retroactively to December 9.

A veteran of the internal security forces

In charge of the 'interoperability' cell in EUTM RCA, within the strategic advisory pillar (SAP), Colonel Paulo Soares is used to the task that will be entrusted to him at EUAM. The objective of the Portuguese will remain substantially the same as within EUTM, but with reinforced staff and autonomy of action. He will order EU experts to provide support to the Interior Ministry and internal security forces, such as the Central African police and gendarmerie, to help with their deployment throughout the country. (Read : The 28 approve the framework of the new EUAM RCA mission et The future EUAM RCA civilian advisory mission. The concept of crisis management explained)

An officer of the Portuguese national guard

Born in Figueira da Foz, senior infantry officer, Paulo Soares served both in the general command of the National Guard, in Lisbon, notably as director of human resources, but also in the field, in the territorial command of the GNR Madeira (2011) or to the territorial commander of the GNR of Braga (2017).

(Aurélie Pugnet, with NGV)