Start: Lt Colonel Peter Maurer, Swiss cooperant and permanent instructor at EMP-ABB

Time flies ! Barely enough time to unpack my suitcase and understand my work at EMP-ABB, than my engagement of an eventful year is already drawing to a close.

From a Swiss point of view, my work consisted in establishing the test phase of a cooperation between the Swiss Defense Department and EMP-ABB, as well as initiating the preparations for evaluations that will be carried out at the end of 2021, with the testing phase continuing until spring 2022. From a Malian point of view, it was a matter of sharing experience and expertise in the field of training and of the internship organization. This is how I had the opportunity to organize training; to participate in internships; to teach; evaluate and develop new courses.
The year 2020 brought a variety of challenges, most of which came from outside of school. Starting with the night curfew and the suspension of all air traffic due to Covid-19 or popular protest actions until the upheaval in socio-political life. For an international in a new environment, it must be said that these are quite special and memorable living conditions.

From this year at EMP-ABB, I have many positive memories: the many new contacts and friendships that have emerged from them; the incredibly beautiful landscapes that Mali offers; the exciting interactions with course participants; etc. I hope that my successors can come back to so many positive experiences at the end of their mission. I am sure that they will be able to continue and enrich the foundations that I have established at EMP-ABB. I would like to thank all EMP-ABB employees, from the General Manager to the cleaning staff, for their real commitment, because it is only together that we can succeed! I wish everyone success in their future life and above all, that the year 2021 will be a little more “normal” than the previous one.

Africa united for peace!