New Rotation in the EUTM Somalia

Szöveg: P. Cs. | 2012. július 15. 9:11

In mid-June, three Hungarian soldiers left Hungary for Uganda to participate in the training of Somali soldiers during the next six months. The present one is the fourth rotation in the EUTM Somalia mission. Having received training in Uganda, the Somali troops form an important part of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

The three Hungarians – 2Lt. Péter Csatlós (HDF 86th Szolnok Helicopter Base), WO1 Tibor Maczó and SFC Antal István (HDF NCO Academy) arrived at Entebbe airport in the evening of June 20, where they were received by Maj. Tibor Steiner, the Hungarian Senior National Representative of the mission.

Maj. Steiner has been serving as legal advisor at the EUTM Somalia Mission HQ in Kampala for five months.

After being prepared at the EUTM Somalia Mission HQ, the Hungarian soldiers left the capital for the Bihanga Training Camp (BTC), which is five-hour drive from the capital. On arriving there, they were received by the commander of the camp, Lt.-Col. Denis Bretaudeau from the French Foreign Legion.

Before starting the training, the Hungarians participated in target practice, driving practice and other preliminary preparations. As the present one is the second rotation in Uganda for all three soldiers, they received a good picture of the changes that their former trainees have undergone.

Those Somalis who have completed the six-months demanding training here will leave the BTC as well-trained, disciplined and self-confident soldiers and are able to effectively engage the Al-Shabab terrorist organization which is active in Somalia.

The first intake of recruits arrived in the BTC from Mogadishu on July 2. They were in-processed, were subjected to a medical examination, their measurements were taken and they had to fill in a questionnaire about their school and military qualifications.

The training officially starts on July 16. Prior to it, the recruits are to undergo a so-called preliminary preparation. During this, they familiarize themselves with the camp and the rules, and the EU trainers teach them the basics of military conduct.

The Hungarian trainers are going to work in a joint Hungarian–German team during the next six months.