Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/1554 of 25 July 2025 on an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility to support the Djibouti Armed Forces

Official Journal EN of the European Union L series 2025/1554 28.7.2025 COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2025/1554 of 25 July 2025 on an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility to support the Djibouti Armed Forces THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 28(1) and Article 41(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Whereas: (1) Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/509(1) establishes the European Peace Facility (EPF) for the financing by Member States of Union actions under the common foreign and security policy to preserve peace, prevent conflicts and strengthen international security pursuant to Article 21(2), point (c), of the Treaty. In particular, pursuant to Article 1(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509, the EPF is to be used for the financing of assistance measures such as actions to strengthen the capacities of third States and regional and international organisations relating to military and defence matters. (2) On 24 October 2023, the Council adopted conclusions approving the Union’s revised Maritime Security Strategy and its Action Plan, laying out the framework for the Union to take further action to safeguard its interests at sea and to protect its citizens, values and economy, while promoting international rules and full compliance with international instruments, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). (3) Since October 2023, numerous Houthi attacks have targeted vessels in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. Such attacks jeopardise the lives of seamen on vessels, and constitute a breach of the freedom of navigation on the high seas and of the right of transit passage in straits used for international navigation enshrined in UNCLOS. Those attacks also have an adverse impact on merchant shipping and on the economies of many countries in the Union and in the region. (4) On 10 January 2024, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2722 (2024), condemning in the strongest terms the Houthi attacks on merchant and commercial vessels, underscoring the importance of the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by vessels of all states in the Red Sea, including for merchant and commercial vessels transiting the Baab al-Mandab Strait, in accordance with international law, demanding that the Houthis immediately cease all such attacks, affirming that the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by merchant and commercial vessels, in accordance with international law, must be respected, and taking note of the right of United Nations member states, in accordance with international law, to defend their vessels from attacks, including those that undermine navigational rights and freedoms. (5) In the context of the Red Sea crisis, strengthening the Djibouti Armed Forces is an important element to contribute to safeguarding maritime security in the region. (6) On 8 January 2025, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy received a request from Djibouti for the Union to assist the Djibouti Armed Forces with the procurement of key equipment, infrastructure and services to strengthen the capabilities of its navy. (7) Assistance measures are to be implemented taking into account the principles and requirements set out in Decision (CFSP) 2021/509, in particular compliance with Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP(2), and in line with the rules for the implementation of revenue and expenditure financed under the EPF. (1) Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 of 22 March 2021 establishing a European Peace Facility, and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2015/528 (OJ L 102, 24.3.2021, p. 14, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2021/509/oj). (2) Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP of 8 December 2008 defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment (OJ L 335, 13.12.2008, p. 99, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/compos/2008/944/oj). ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/1554/oj 1/4EN OJ L, 28.7.2025 (8) The Council reaffirms its determination to protect, promote and fulfil human rights, fundamental freedoms and democratic principles and to strengthen the rule of law and good governance, in compliance with the Charter of the United Nations, with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international law, in particular international human rights law and international humanitarian law, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 Establishment, objectives, scope and duration 1. An assistance measure benefiting Djibouti (the ‘beneficiary’) to be financed under the European Peace Facility (EPF) (the ‘assistance measure’) is hereby established. 2. The objectives of the assistance measure are the following: (a) to strengthen cooperation on security and defence between the Union and Djibouti; (b) to contribute to enhancing the overall capacities of the Djibouti Armed Forces in safeguarding their sovereignty and rights in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to strengthen maritime security in the Red Sea and, thereby, to better protect sea lines of communication, commercial vessels and maritime resources, coastal populations and their livelihoods against a wide spectrum of maritime crises; (c) to strengthen Djibouti’s potential in maritime domain awareness, complementing the Union’s common security and defence policy operations and initiatives in the Red Sea. 3. To achieve the objectives set out in paragraph 2, the assistance measure shall finance the following types of equipment not designed to deliver lethal force, and the following infrastructure, supplies and services, including technical training: (a) implementation of a resilience plan for the patrol vessels, through the provision of training in naval education and equipment for specialised workshops, as well as the restoration of part of the Djiboutian maritime assets; (b) a coastal surveillance station including functional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets and a floating pontoon; (c) rapid intervention assets for the Djiboutian Navy. 4. The duration of the assistance measure shall be 42 months from the date of adoption of this Decision. Article 2 Financial arrangements 1. The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to the assistance measure shall be EUR 10 000 000. 2. All expenditure shall be managed in accordance with Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 and in line with the rules for the implementation of revenue and expenditure financed under the EPF. Article 3 Arrangements with the beneficiary 1. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘High Representative’) shall make the necessary arrangements with the beneficiary to ensure its compliance with the requirements and conditions established by this Decision as a condition for the provision of support under the assistance measure. 2. The arrangements referred to in paragraph 1 shall include provisions obliging the beneficiary to ensure: (a) compliance of the units of the Djibouti Armed Forces supported under the assistance measure with relevant international law, in particular international human rights law and international humanitarian law; 2/4 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/1554/ojEN OJ L, 28.7.2025 (b) proper and efficient use of any assets provided under the assistance measure for the purposes for which they were provided; (c) sufficient maintenance of any assets provided under the assistance measure to ensure their usability and operational availability over their life cycle; (d) that any assets provided under the assistance measure are not lost or transferred to persons or entities other than those identified in those arrangements. 3. The arrangements referred to in paragraph 1 shall include provisions on the suspension and termination of support under the assistance measure in the event of the beneficiary being found in breach of the obligations set out in paragraph 2. Article 4 Implementation 1. The High Representative shall be responsible for ensuring the implementation of this Decision in accordance with Decision (CFSP) 2021/509, and in line with the rules for the implementation of revenue and expenditure financed under the EPF and with the Integrated Methodological Framework for assessing and identifying the required measures and controls for assistance measures under the EPF. 2. The implementation of the activities referred to in Article 1(3) shall be carried out by Défense Conseil International – DCI Group. Article 5 Monitoring, control and evaluation 1. The High Representative shall monitor the compliance by the beneficiary with the obligations set out in Article 3. That monitoring shall be used to provide awareness of the context and the risks of breaches of the obligations set out in Article 3, and to contribute to the prevention of such breaches, including violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law by the units of the Djibouti Armed Forces supported under the assistance measure. 2. The post-shipment control of equipment and supplies shall be organised as follows: (a) delivery verification, whereby EPF delivery certificates are to be signed by the end-user forces upon transfer of ownership; (b) reporting, whereby the beneficiary is to report annually on the activities conducted with the equipment, supplies and services provided under the assistance measure and on the inventory of designated items until such reporting is no longer deemed necessary by the Political and Security Committee (PSC); (c) on-site visits, whereby the beneficiary is to grant the High Representative and the EPF auditors access to conduct on-site checks and EPF audits, upon request. 3. The High Representative shall conduct a final evaluation upon completion of the assistance measure to assess whether the assistance measure has contributed to reaching the objectives set out in Article 1(2). Article 6 Reporting During the period of implementation, the High Representative shall provide the PSC with six-monthly reports on the implementation of the assistance measure, in accordance with Article 63 of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509. The administrator for assistance measures shall regularly inform the Facility Committee established by Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 on the implementation of revenue and expenditure in accordance with Article 38 of that Decision, including by providing information on the suppliers and subcontractors involved. ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/1554/oj 3/4EN OJ L, 28.7.2025 Article 7 Suspension and termination 1. The PSC may decide to suspend wholly or partially the implementation of the assistance measure in accordance with Article 64 of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509. 2. The PSC may recommend that the Council terminate the assistance measure. Article 8 Entry into force This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption. Done at Brussels, 25 July 2025. For the Council The President M. BJERRE 4/4 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/1554/oj