EUCAP Somalia mentored two Somali police officers attending the “Police Mentoring and Advising Course” organized by the Gambia Police Force and the Netherlands Royal Marechaussee in Banjul, Gambia, on March 12-16^th of March 2018.

 The training activity is part of the project “European Union Services Police Training 2” (EUPST2).

Considering the context of the international missions for peace and stabilization, the course provided a comprehensive understanding of mentoring and advising. In order to support the participants in developing integrated strategies and consolidating local ownership, the course has emphasized the importance of the intercultural competences and sensitivity with regard to the local traditions.

The participants’ knowledge in the implementation of international standards was improved, lessons learned from various peace operations being presented. The interactive exercises and role plays during the course allowed the participants to practice their newly learned techniques and instruments of effective cooperation and communication.

The Somali police officers were part of a larger group of law enforcement personnel from Gambia, Ghana, Netherlands and United Kingdom. The training provided opportunities for transfer of expertise especially in the area of policing post-conflict environments. The course was also a valuable platform for interaction between police officers from different countries, promoting the establishment of informal contacts and strengthening regional police cooperation.