Communiqué on the GAR-IS project

In view of the information that has appeared since 14 February in the media linking the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Public Administration and Public Policy with the so-called Mediator Case, we wish to state for the record that the FIIAPP is not under investigation and that it is cooperating with the justice system at all times.

The Foundation’s procedures are robust and the commitment to transparency is absolute. We are conducting a thorough internal investigation to eliminate any room for doubt and act accordingly. The findings of that report will be provided to the court hearing the case.

With regard to some news published in some media, the Foundation informs that:

• General Francisco Javier Espinosa was appointed in March 2017 to be the director of the European GAR-SI Sahel project, a task he carried out until June 2021.
• This project has been subject to 22 external and independent audits since 2017 that endorse the results and management performed. This volume of audits is common for multi-year regional projects.
• In relation to the awarding of contracts to the company Asesoramiento y Servicio de Drones, SL (ASD SL), investigated in the case, this company has been awarded three public tenders tendered in batches for the supply of drones for the GAR-SI Sahel project, for a total value of 89,000 euros. In addition, this company was awarded a lot with a similar purpose in the framework of another project unrelated to GAR-SI Sahel, for a value of 174,000 euros. Furthermore, the company ASD SL has submitted four additional tenders for drones/contra drones to the FIIAPP, but was not awarded the contract. Since 2017, the FIIAPP has contracted the purchase of drones for 1.3 million euros to 13 different companies.

FIIAPP is a public sector foundation that manages international cooperation projects through the exchange of knowledge and experience between counterpart public administrations from different countries. We manage a portfolio of 120 projects per year, with an average annual execution of 67 million euros. In these projects we mobilise professionals from our institutions, appointed by them, thus contributing to the internationalisation of our administrations. We have robust procedures for the execution and reporting of funds, as well as internal and external control and prevention measures, which have been implemented in a timely manner.

GAR-SI Sahel is a cooperation project led by Spain that is highly valued abroad for its civilian approach to security. This project, implemented by the FIIAPP with the Guardia Civil and in collaboration with other European security forces, aims to support its counterparts in Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso[1], Niger and Chad in the creation of Rapid Action Groups to fight terrorism, organised crime and other threats in the Sahel.

Many European countries and the rest of the world are interested in our expertise in the fight against terrorism. The Rapid Action Groups designed by the Guardia Civil are a benchmark in this regard and are the model that this project seeks to extrapolate to stabilise one of the hottest spots on the planet, adapting it to the environment in which it operates, with implications not only for its population but also for European security. Since 2017, the project has managed to make 13 GAR-SI (Groupes d’Action rapide de Surveillance et d’Intervention) units operational in the six intervention countries, providing tactical and strategic training to 1,734 gendarmes to fight against jihadism and organised crime.

Our relationship with the Guardia Civil is excellent in this and other cooperation projects we work on together.

[1] Activity in Mali and Burkina Faso is suspended due to the current political situation.