On 16 April 2020, the EU Political and Security Committee confirmed Brigadier General František Ridzák as the Force Commander of the EU Training Mission in Mali. He will take over the command on behalf of the Czech Republic on 12 June 2020 for the period of six months.
It is the first time that the Czech Republic is taking on such an important position in EU and NATO operations. General Ridzák who has to date served as the Director of the MoD Communication and Information Systems Division will be taking over from Brigadier General João Boga Ribeiro of Portugal.
Twenty-five European states currently participate in EUTM Mali, whose primary mission is to assist in the training of the Malian Armed Forces. More about the mission at: www.eutmmali.eu.