Key Developments
On 6 May 2026, the European Commission said the EU project Public Spaces+ developed nine training programs with Senegalese partners to protect public spaces from terrorist threats, training gendarmerie and police ahead of the Youth Olympic Games.
Key Statistics
- 9 specialized training programs developed in Senegal
- 12 personnel trained from gendarmerie and police
- 6 snipers trained in counter-terrorism tactics
- 6 dog handlers trained
- 10 instructors delivered the courses
Main Body
On 6 May 2026, the European Commission reported that the EU project Public Spaces+ worked with Senegalese authorities to design nine specialized training programs to protect public spaces from terrorist threats, including in preparation for the IV Youth Olympic Games in Senegal. According to the European Commission, the effort trained members of the Senegalese gendarmerie and national police to strengthen counter-terrorism capabilities.
The European Commission said the package comprised targeted modules delivered by 10 instructors, which trained 12 personnel, including 6 snipers and 6 dog handlers from the security services. The Commission stated the courses focused on tactical skills needed to secure public spaces and event sites during high-profile gatherings.
As wider context, on 30 April 2026 the Bundeswehr described conducting the Schneller Adler 2026 exercise in Senegal to rehearse evacuations of civilians in unstable conditions alongside Senegalese forces, coordinating German and European crisis response. Separately, on 22 April 2026 the European Parliament recorded a written question on the Commission’s announced European security strategy, seeking clarity on competences and indicating sustained institutional focus on security policy.
Taken together, the training and the evacuation drill pointed to a practical emphasis on preparedness and capacity-building in Senegal. The Commission’s program supported host-nation readiness for a major international event, while allied exercising addressed contingency planning, enhancing regional preparedness. This occurred amid ECFR analysis of a broader European debate on defence self-reliance and security posture.
