German Ambassador Albrecht Conze is to become the first head of the EU civilian mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali). His appointment underlines the Federal Government’s continued engagement in cooperation with Mali in various different areas. EUCAP Sahel Mali aims to strengthen the security forces in Mali by delivering strategic advice and training for the police, Gendarmerie and Garde nationale. On 15 April 2014, the EU Foreign Affairs Council had agreed to extend the international community’s engagement in Mali and to set up a civilian mission within the framework of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy.

Ambassador Albrecht Conze was most recently Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Bangladesh. His foreign service activities to date include leading posts in Africa and in international peace missions in Kosovo and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.