# Netherland plans minimal contribution to Operation Takuba

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2020/05/netherland-plans-minimal-contribution-to-operation-takuba/
- Published: 2020-05-15T09:59:26+01:00
- Author: Sarah Lesedi

Operation _Takuba_ – an European Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force (CJSOTF)
intended to counter-violent extremist organisation (C-VEO) operations in West Africa
is set to take off, the Netherlands will contribute minimal resources and personnel
to the campaign.

_[Takuba](https://www.military.africa/2020/05/netherland-plans-minimal-contribution-to-operation-takuba/military.africa/2020/04/european-task-force-takuba-to-deploy-to-sahel)_
which is planned to kick-off by the end of 2020, ahead of a full operational capability
early in 2021.

Takuba’s Special Operations Task Force is mandated to provide military assistance
to the Malian Armed Forces and G5 Sahel partners (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania
and Niger). It members includes Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Portugal
and Sweden with political support from the UK.

 * [European Task Force Takuba to deploy to Sahel⌊task force takuba⌉](https://www.military.africa/2020/04/european-task-force-takuba-to-deploy-to-sahel/)
   DateApril 5, 2020

In a private media briefing held earlier this month, a Netherlands Special Operations
Command (NLD SOCOM) spokesperson disclosed that the country will only deploy two
staff officers at Task Force Takuba HQ, this will help Netherlands stay updated 
on the developments in the mission and the general situation in the region’.

Apparently, Dutch SOF troops will not be deployed on the ground in support of the
task force, ‘**_After careful consideration, there is not enough capacity of SOF
available to send military units._**‘

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Furthermore, essential airlift or MEDEVAC assets will also not be deployed to the
task force because they are tied up in other deployment (in Iraq and Afghanistan)
and will not be available until the second half of 2021 or early 2022.

_** ‘The Dutch parliament will keep close relationships with all European partners
involved to keep an eye on the developments of Task Force Takuba and pay attention
to the link of Task Force Takuba with civil and other military activities in the
Sahel region. **_

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_**‘Lastly, the Dutch parliament focuses on a more effective role of the EU training
mission in Mali whereas this mission functions as basis for training of Malian troops
with which Task Force Takuba will co-operate.’ **_

So far, Operation Takuba has drawn contributions from several European countries,
Denmark [has provided two EH101 helicopters](https://www.military.africa/2020/05/netherland-plans-minimal-contribution-to-operation-takuba/military.africa/2019/12/denmark-deploys-two-eh101-transport-helicopters-to-mali-in-support-of-operation-barkhane),
while SOF components from Belgium, Estonia, Portugal and France will make up the
bulk of the task force on the ground.

Germany has also suggested it will support ground forces with the deployment of 
H145M helicopters, although a final decision has not made.

According to the political statement signed by the Takuba participating governments(
and the UK), Takuba will be mainly composed of European Special Operation Forces
supported by key enablers providing a high level of autonomy. It will advise, assist
and accompany Malian Armed Forces, in coordination with G5 Sahel partners, the UN
mission (MINUSMA) and EU missions (EUTM Mali, EUCAP Mali and EUCAP Niger), with 
a robust legal basis in compliance with international law,’ the political statement
concluded.