The Military Assistance Task Force (MATF) GAZELLE completes its mandate

21.12.2022

On May 2021, The Political and Security Committee (PSC) approved the offer of Germany to integrate the Military Assistance Task Force (MATF) GAZELLE in EUTM Mali, operating in Niger and providing military assistance through training, assisting, advising and educating the NE Special Operation Forces (SOF) for an estimated period of two years. The integration of MATF GAZELLE into EUTM Mali became effective on 14 Aug 2021.

The EUTMs Mali 5^th mandate allowed the EU’s commitment in the effort that started as a bilateral DE-NE cooperation and maintained the same objectives and mission operational standards. MATF GAZELLE focused on establishing a NE Special Forces structure, based on a self-sustained BSI (Bataillon Special intervention) through training, educating and mentoring pillars. It also supported the build-up of a SOF School in TILLIA to enable autonomous and permanent NE capacities to train sufficiently NE SOF on a self-sustainable basis.

MATF GAZELLE proved its reliability and credibility. The integration of MATF GAZELLE in EUTM Mali lead immediately to EUTM Mali’s mandate delivery in Niger through a well-established, qualified and credible force, highly trusted by Niger’s authorities.

On 15 Dec 2022, MATF GAZELLE reached the end of its mandate after having clearly achieved its objectives, which was feasible due to full Host Nation ownership and commitment, clear, realistic and well measurable objectives and its temporary character. MATF GAZELLE has certainly set good standards to be used as guidelines for subsequent missions.