Date: 2023-09-27Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/2066 of 25 September 2023 amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/1599 on a European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea
Executive Summary:
This Council Decision amends Decision CFSP 2023/1599 to extend the European Union Security and Defence Initiative to Côte d'Ivoire and Togo, in addition to Benin and Ghana. The Initiative aims to assist West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea in developing their security and defence capabilities. The decision was adopted on September 25, 2023, and applies retroactively from August 16, 2023.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Mission Objective:** The EU will conduct a Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) mission.
* **Strategic Goal:** To aid West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea in developing capabilities within their security and defence forces.
* **Specific Aim:** To contain and respond to pressure from terrorist armed groups.
* **Initiative Expansion:** The European Union Security and Defence Initiative is now established in:
* Benin
* Côte d'Ivoire
* Ghana
* Togo
* **Effective Date:** The decision is effective from August 16, 2023.
Impact Analysis:
* **West African Countries (Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo):**
* Impact: Will receive assistance in developing security and defence capabilities to counter terrorist threats.
* Action Required: Continue to collaborate with the EU and utilize the resources provided by the Initiative.
* **European Union:**
* Impact: Will conduct a CSDP mission and provide resources and support to West African countries.
* Action Required: Implement the amended decision and ensure the effective operation of the Initiative in the expanded regions.
* **Security and Defence Forces of Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo:**
* Impact: Will be the direct recipients of training, equipment, and advisory support to enhance their capabilities.
* Action Required: Engage with the Initiative, participate in training programs, and implement the strategies developed with EU support.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
Council Decision CFSP 2023/2066: A Council Decision of the European Union regarding security and defence.
Decision CFSP 2023/1599: A Council Decision of the European Union on a European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea.
West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea: A group of countries in West Africa bordering the Gulf of Guinea.
Benin: A country in West Africa.
Cote d'Ivoire: A country in West Africa.
Ghana: A country in West Africa.
Togo: A country in West Africa.
27.9.2023 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 238/141
COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2023/2066
of 25 September 2023
amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/1599 on a European Union Security and Defence Initiative in
support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 42(4) and 43(2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
(1) On 29 June 2023, the Council approved a Crisis Management Concept for a possible security and defence
partnership with West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea. That concept is based on an integrated approach for
a security and defence partnership with Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo, including the establishment of a
mission under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), namely the European Union Security and Defence
Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea (the ‘Initiative’), complemented by the
deployment of military advisors in Union delegations, in conjunction with assistance measures under the European
Peace Facility for the provision of military equipment and in synergy with security-related projects.
(2) On 3 August 2023, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/1599(1), which established the Initiative in Benin
and Ghana, based on invitations received from those countries.
(3) By letter dated 17 July 2023, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Togo invited the Union to deploy the Initiative in
its territory.
(4) By letter dated 20 July 2023, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire invited the Union to deploy the
Initiative in its territory.
(5) The Initiative should therefore also be established in Côte d’Ivoire and Togo.
(6) Decision (CFSP) 2023/1599 should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Article 1 of Decision (CFSP) 2023/1599 is replaced by the following:
‘Article 1
Establishment
1. The Union shall conduct a Mission under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) with the strategic
objective to assist the West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea in which that Mission is established in developing the
adequate capabilities within their security and defence forces to contain and respond to the pressure exercised by terrorist
armed groups.
2. The Mission referred to in paragraph 1 shall be named “European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of
West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea” (the “Initiative”).
3. The Initiative is hereby established in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo.’.
(1) Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1599 of 3 August 2023 on a European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West
African countries of the Gulf of Guinea (OJ L 196, 4.8.2023, p. 25).L 238/142 EN Official Journal of the European Union 27.9.2023
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
It shall apply from 16 August 2023.
Done at Brussels, 25 September 2023.
For the Council
The President
H. GÓMEZ HERNÁNDEZ