An Cosantóir

24 A short insight into Ireland's involvement in EUTM MALI's most significant training challenge Sixty eight (68) personnel, some nervous, other less so, stand before the European Education and Training Team. It would almost remind you of Day 1 with a new recruit or cadet intake at home; almost, but not entirely. This however is a raising order (Military term referring to the gathering together of troops or soldiers in preparation for combat) unlike any other. A quick scan reveals a significant age differential, from the twenty something, to the fifty something, they're all here. A plethora of headdress variants from the Beret to the Arabic Keffiyeh (headscarf) reflect a multitude of military, personal and cultural backgrounds. The presence of four (4) Interpreters compounds the group geographic differentials and is an indicator of the challenge ahead. Finally, a closer look reveals weathered and hardened faces. This is a silent clue that many of these men have significant combat experience, having been on opposing sides in past conflicts, that political engagement, peace agreements and professional training are trying to bring to an end. Seven (7) years prior to this moment, on the July 24 2014, a peace accord known as The Algiers Process was brokered to establish a national and durable peace plan in order to guarantee a definitive solution to the crisis in Northern MALI, known by some as AZAWAD. Chapter 8 of this agreement referred to "Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reinsertion (DDR)", of non- government ex-combatants; an initiative to reintegrate those lost to various TAGs (Terrorist Armed Groups) or other non-government forces pre and post 2013. The incentive – ultimately for the end user, a more organised existence with an initial service payment followed by a regular and reliable salary, an incentive that has attracted in excess of 30,000 applicants thus far. Graduates of the DDR process are organised as reconstituted units within the MaAFs (Malian Armed Forces) and are ultimately redeployed throughout the Northern Regions to facilitate the return of security to these regions. Training responsibility of DDR personnel lies primarily with the MaAF but the International Community contributes. In this case it's the turn of EUTM (The European Union Training Mission in Sgt Gerry O'Gorman, Boarding the C-130 to from Bamako to GAO, his new mission area and a long way from Tipperary RAISING KIDAL RAISING KIDAL Lt Eamonn Hennessy from Kilkenny, keeping a close eye on fire and maneuver exercises, of the DDR KIDAL Coy, MALI By Comdt Kieran Woulfe Photos provided by Comdt Kieran Woulfe

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