From Flagship to Somaliland: EUCAP Nestor’s Head of Mission carries out a round of
engagements with key counterparts
PRESS RELEASE
October 6th 2016
From Flagship to Somaliland: EUCAP Nestor’s Head of Mission carries out a round of
engagements with key counterparts
EUCAP Nestor’s Head of Mission (HoM), Maria-Cristina Stepanescu carried out her first round of
meetings with partners from the EU with a day aboard sister Mission EUNAVFOR Atalanta’s Flagship
Tromp, on September 30th 2016.
During the visit, the two Missions discussed potential joint activities within their respective mandates.
On board and in preparation of an upcoming capacity building exercise, the HoM together with the
Maritime Police Unit (MPU) of Mogadishu and Coast Guard of Somalia witnessed a boarding
demonstration organised by EUNAVFOR Atalanta, and facilitated by EUCAP NESTOR, in cooperation with
the AMISOM Marine Unit.
The HoM then travelled to Somaliland on the 1st of October to meet staff at their new premises at the
Field Office in Hargeisa.
The next day, she met with the recently appointed Minister of Interior Yasin Mohamud Hiir to discuss
ways on improving collaboration efforts by both parties. The HoM also visited the Somaliland Coast
Guard’s (SLCG) headquarters, where she met the commander of Somaliland Coast Guard Admiral Abdi
Hersi Du’ale.
The HoM also had the opportunity to meet with Edna Adan, the founder of the Edna Adan Hospital, who
recently received an ambulance donated by the Mission. The discussion centred not only on the
challenges but also the rewards of developing healthcare facilities in a post conflict environment.
On October 3rd, the HoM travelled to the coastal city of Berbera, to gain insight of the challenges that
the SLCG Berbera operations face on a daily basis.
From Flagship to Somaliland: EUCAP Nestor’s Head of Mission carries out a round of
engagements with key counterparts
She then visited the Berbera Maritime and Fisheries Academy to meet with the President of the
Academy, Professor Abdiqani Khayrehe and SLCG Commander Admiral Hersi to consider how the
Academy could get more involved in SLCG training exercises. The Professor expressed his Academy
faced material shortfalls for the students’ practical training such as boat engines. Admiral Hersi Du’ale
also confirmed that “theory can only go so far, and practical training is essential” in order to strengthen
the cooperation between the Academy and SLCG.
The HoM stated, “The Mission will work to help the Somaliland maritime security actors to fulfil their
vision from the future”. The gathered knowledge will help to formulate EUCAP Nestor’s planning for its
renewed mandate, as of January 2017, in Somaliland.
Background
EUCAP Nestor is a civilian EU mission, under the auspices of the Common Security and Defence
Policy, which assists Somalia in strengthening its capacity to ensure maritime security and in
particular to fight piracy.
