Director MPCC in the EUTM’s MALI Change of Command (21 Dec 2021)

22.12.2021

 

The European Union Training Mission in Mali (EUTM MALI) was honored to host the Director of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC), Vice Admiral Herve Bléjean in the change of command ceremony that took place the 21 December 2021 at the Azalaï Salam Hotel in Bamako.

The Mission Force Commander, Brigadier General Jochen DEUER from Germany handed over the command of EUTM Mali to Brigadier General Christian RIENER from Austria.

In the presence of the Malian Chief of Defence, Brigadier General Oumar DIARRA, the German Defense Minister Secretary General Siemtje MÖLLER, the German Deputy Chief of Defence, Lieutenant General Markus LAUBENTHAL, the EU Ambassador Bart OUVRY, the Austrian Representative Frank ULRICH, and the Austrian Military Attaché, the Director of the MPCC officially transferred the European Union emblem from the outgoing to the incoming Head of the European mission.

During his visit, Vice Admiral Herve Bléjean conducted Key Leader Engagements with the Malian national authorities. He met the Minister of Defence, Col Sadio CAMARA, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, GD Oumar DIARRA and other active key leaders, including the EUDEL Ambassador and the EUCAP Head of mission. The Director MPCC also visited the Koulikoro Training Centre (KTC) where he had the opportunity to exchange with EUTM troops and be briefed on the ongoing EUTM Mali activities. 

The MPCC Director re-called with the Malian authorities and all international partners the major lines of EUTM Mali’s 5th mandate, which was well received by all interlocutors. Despite the effects of the pandemic, the EUTM Mission remains high visible, credible and accepted by the Malian authorities and international partners.