EUTM MOZ welcomes Commanding Officer of the French Navy Polar Logistic Vessel “L’Astrolabe”

Maputo, Mozambique – The European Union Training Mission Mozambique (EUTM MOZ) Mission Force Commander (MFCdr), Commodore Martins de Brito, welcomed the Commanding Officer (CO), Commander (CDR) Guillaume Furgolle, of the French Navy Polar Logistic Vessel (PLV) “L’Astrolabe”, to the Headquarters and the Katembe Training Camp, on August 10, 2023.

 

The EUTM MOZ Command Group provided “L’Astrolabe” CO an overview of the EUTM MOZ’ mission, roles, capabilities and current activities, and described the main ongoing projects within the headquarters and the three training camps located in Katembe, Dongo and Mavalane.

“L’Astrolabe” CO also had the opportunity to visit Katembe’s Training Camp and observe how EUTM MOZ is contributing to the capability building of the Mozambican Defence Armed Forces’ (FADM) units, selected to compose future Quick Reaction Forces (QRF).

This visit served as an opportunity to strength the working relationship and cooperation between the EUTM MOZ and the European Union member country, France.

The French Navy PLV “L’Astrolabe”, entered "Active Duty" in late June 2018, is based on Reunion Island and is conducting missions for the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF) administration, the French National Antarctic Program (IPEV) and the French Navy. Currently, “L’Astrolabe” is moored in the Port of Maputo for a scheduled port visit.

The EUTM MOZ has 118 military and civilian personnel from 12 European Union member states - Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Sweden. France currently contributes with 19 military to the EUTM MOZ, including 12 from the Forces Armées dans la Zone Sud de l'Océan Indien (FAZSOI).

The EUTM MOZ mission is to provide training and support to the FADM to protect the civilian population and restore security in the Cabo Delgado province. The mission has a non-executive mandate and will end two years after the mission has reached Full Operational Capability. The EUTM MOZ is one of the tools to address the crisis in Cabo Delgado, in conjunction with support for peacebuilding, conflict prevention and dialogue support, humanitarian assistance and development cooperation.