The concept of judicialization in military operations at the heart of RACC advising actions

In this context, the EU Regional Advisory and Coordination Cell for the Sahel (RACC), contributes to the conveyance of the concept of Sahelian judicialization to the senior management of the armed forces of the five G5 Sahel countries (G5S) trough advising and training for the benefit of the G5S Defense College high-level trainees, mostly lieutenant-colonels and colonels.

A recent milestone has been reached with the design of a renovated training module, now managed by officers of the G5S Defense College. This means that Sahelian instructors, particularly senior gendarmerie officers, are now able to deliver the courses in total autonomy.

This latest module, approved by the pedagogical direction of the G5S Defense College, was designed by the RACC between June 14 to 16, 2022 with the support of the Provost and Military Justice Expert of the EUCAP SAHEL MALI mission, and in coordination with the ACLEP project (Support for the Legal and Provost Components of the FC G5S) implemented by Expertise France and funded by the EU.

High ranking officers’ benefit from the named activity as an awareness raising tool on the integration of judicial aspects into the planning and conduct of operations.

Military operations carried out by the G5 Sahel Joint Force are put in place to fight terrorism and cross-border organized crime (e.g., trafficking in arms, human beings, drugs). Serious criminal offences.

The concept of judicialization enhances the work of the military by extending their action in the judicial field. This is key for the strengthening the trust between the civil society and the G5 Sahel Joint Force.

The judicialization in the field of military operations is also an important tool for the involvement of magistrates and the judiciary police in the in the fight against the named serious crimes, which is an essential aspect to improve governance and the security of citizens.