Irish colonel to head EU Somali mission

An Irish Army colonel is to take charge of a 150-strong EU force training Somali government soldiers in Uganda, it was announced today.

Colonel Michael Beary is to take on the role of mission commander of the EU’s Somali training mission.

The mission, which has been in operation since May 2010, is part of an international effort to strengthen the transitional federal government’s ability to fight Islamist insurgents.

Up to 2,000 recruits are being trained in Bihanga in the west of Uganda to become non-commissioned officers.

This is the second time Ireland has headed up an EU military mission, the last one being the EU Mission in Chad and the Central African Republic, which was headed up by Lt Col Pat Nash.

The EU’s mission comprises of soldiers from 14 member states, and is currently led by Spain as framework nation.

Ireland, which currently contributes three personnel, will take over the mission commander role from Col Ricardo Gonzalez Elul of the Spanish armed forces at the beginning of September.

Formally approving the appointment of Col Beary today, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said: “This is a singular honour for Ireland to again be asked to head up an important EU mission.

“While the mission may not have the same profile as the Chad mission had, it is a key element in the EU’s engagement in supporting the security situation in the Horn of Africa and in delivering support and security to the transitional federal government in Somalia,” he said.

“Enhancing the capacity of the Somali authorities to provide for their own security is the only real solution to the problems of lawlessness within the country and piracy on its seas,” he added.

Col Beary was approved as mission commander last Friday by the European Council.