EUTM-S Commander Joins Inaugural Somali Defense Board to Strengthen Coordination and Sustainable Outcomes.
Introduced by the European Union Ambassador Francesca di Mauro, Brig. Gen. Manes engaged with Minister Fiqi and other high-level political and defense representatives to discuss shared objectives and cooperation frameworks. The meeting formally established the Defense Board, approved its Terms of Reference, and set an initial strategic direction focused on building coherent, sustainable defense capacity in support of Somalia’s security and institutional development.
The Defense Board is designed to serve as a central forum for policy alignment among Somali authorities and international partners. By approving the Terms of Reference, participants clarified roles, decision-making mechanisms, and priority areas including capability development, governance, and joint planning. The board’s early work aims to synchronize efforts across ministries and partners to avoid overlap, channel resources effectively, and support a long-term transition to Somali-led defense structures.
“We welcome the creation of the Defense Board as an essential step toward cohesive defense planning and sustainable capacity building,” said Brig. Gen. Elio Manes, Commander of EUTM-S. “EUTM-S stands ready to support the board’s priorities through training, advisory activities, and continued partnership with Somali authorities and international stakeholders.”
The meeting underscored a shared commitment to a coordinated approach that balances immediate security needs with institution-building measures. Participants discussed near-term actions and a roadmap for implementing the board’s priorities, with emphasis on transparency, mutual accountability, and aligning international assistance with Somalia’s strategic objectives.
EUTM-S will continue to engage to ensure that training, mentoring and advisory efforts contribute to effective, locally owned defense capabilities. The mission’s involvement reinforces its role in supporting Somalia’s path toward greater stability and self-reliance in defense matters.
The European Union Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM-S) supports the development of Somali security forces through training, mentoring, advisory activities, and partnership with Somali institutions and international actors. EUTM-S works to enhance professional standards, operational capacity, and long-term institutional development to contribute to peace and stability in Somalia.
EUTM Somalia
n its 9th Mandate, the EUTM Somalia contributes to building up the Somali Security Forces (SSF) accountable to the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), in line with Somali needs and priorities, providing strategic level advice to Somali authorities within the Security Institutions in the Mogadishu Area as well as specific mentoring, advice and capacity building in the training domain. Furthermore when conditions permitting and pending EU PSC approval, EUTM-S should be prepared to expand their activities to Regional HQ’s. EUTM-S will also provide support, within means and capabilities, to other EU and international actors in the implementation of their respective mandates following PSC guidance and given their values/ principles/ aims and interests aligned with the EU’s.
