The GARSI Sahel :

Since the end of 2016 (and until the end of April 2021, in the case of Mauritania), the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) has been financing the Rapid Action Groups – Surveillance and Intervention in the Sahel (GAR-SI Sahel) project. Its objective is to contribute to the security of populations and the stabilization of the G5 Sahel member states and Senegal by providing them with specialized units composed of members of the security forces with military status (Gendarmerie) to control their territories and effectively combat terrorism and all types of illicit trafficking (human beings, weapons, fuel, drugs, etc.).

Under Spain’s leadership, operational implementation is carried out by a consortium made up of the French, Italian, and Portuguese Gendarmeries.

GAR-SI Mauritanie :

After two previous phases, thanks to which numerous police units have been created to fight terrorism and organised crime in the Sahel region, allowing the state's response to serious crimes, which are increasingly present in the area, the third phase of the GARSI project has begun.

The work carried out previously has made it possible to establish close relations between the authorities and the local populations, thus reinforcing the state's presence on the territory, the guarantee of basic supplies and a strong will on the part of the local security forces to respect Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law. If security is guaranteed in an area, development in these areas will clearly materialise.

GAR-SI Phase 3 : 

The aim is to strengthen territorial control and contribute to population security and stabilization in the intervention areas in Mauritania.

See video on GAR-SI Sahel: