Date: 2025-07-17Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2025/1431 of 9 July 2025 on the appointment of the head of the military command and support cell of the European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea, and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2025/69 (EUSDI/2/2025)
Executive Summary:
This decision, adopted by the Political and Security Committee (PSC) on July 9, 2025, appoints Captain Andr Annius VAN DER KAMP as the head of the military command and support cell of the European Union Security and Defence Initiative (EUSDI) in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea, effective from July 16, 2025. It also repeals Decision CFSP 2025/69, which had previously appointed Captain Francisco Javier LPEZ FUSTER to the role. The decision enters into force on July 16, 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
Appointment:
* Captain Andr Annius VAN DER KAMP is appointed as head of the military command and support cell of the EUSDI as of July 16, 2025.
Repeal:
* Decision CFSP 2025/69 is repealed.
Entry into Force:
* The decision enters into force on July 16, 2025.
Impact Analysis:
Political and Security Committee (PSC):
* Impact: The PSC has exercised its authority under Article 38 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 3 of Council Decision CFSP 2023/1599 to appoint the head of the military command and support cell.
* Action Required: Note the change in leadership for the military command and support cell.
Captain Andr Annius VAN DER KAMP:
* Impact: He is appointed as the new head of the military command and support cell.
* Action Required: Assume his new role as head of the military command and support cell, effective July 16, 2025.
Captain Francisco Javier LPEZ FUSTER:
* Impact: His previous appointment as head of the military command and support cell is terminated.
* Action Required: Acknowledge the termination of his role as head of the military command and support cell, effective July 16, 2025.
Military Commander for the military pillar of the Initiative:
* Impact: The decision reflects support for the proposed appointment of Captain Andr Annius VAN DER KAMP.
* Action Required: Collaborate with the newly appointed head of the military command and support cell.
European Union Military Committee:
* Impact: The decision follows the Committee's recommendation to approve the proposed appointment.
* Action Required: Note the appointment and its implications for the EUSDI.
Dutch Authorities:
* Impact: Their proposed candidate, Captain Andr Annius VAN DER KAMP, has been appointed.
* Action Required: Support Captain VAN DER KAMP in his new role.
European Union Security and Defence Initiative (EUSDI):
* Impact: The initiative receives a new head of its military command and support cell.
* Action Required: Adapt to the change in leadership within the military command and support cell.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
Political and Security Committee: A committee within the European Union responsible for political control and strategic direction in specific areas.
Treaty on European Union: The founding treaty of the European Union.
Council Decision CFSP 2023/1599: A Council Decision regarding the European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea.
European Union Security and Defence Initiative: An initiative by the European Union to support West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea.
West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea: A region in West Africa comprising countries bordering the Gulf of Guinea.
Captain Andr Annius VAN DER KAMP: Appointed as the head of the military command and support cell of the European Union Security and Defence Initiative.
Decision CFSP 2025/69: A Political and Security Committee Decision, later repealed, regarding the appointment of the head of the military command and support cell.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2025/1431 17.7.2025
POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2025/1431
of 9 July 2025
on the appointment of the head of the military command and support cell of the European Union
Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea, and
repealing Decision (CFSP) 2025/69 (EUSDI/2/2025)
THE POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 38 thereof,
Having regard to 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(1), an in particular Article 3 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Pursuant to Article 3(1) of Decision (CFSP) 2023/1599, the Political and Security Committee (PSC) is to exercise the
political control and strategic direction of the European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West
African countries of the Gulf of Guinea (the ‘Initiative’). Furthermore, the Council authorised the PSC to take relevant
decisions in accordance with Article 38 of the Treaty on European Union, including decisions on the appointment of
the head of the military command and support cell.
(2) On 8 January 2025, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2025/69(2), appointing Captain Francisco Javier LÓPEZ
FUSTER as head of the military command and support cell of the Initiative as from 15 January 2025.
(3) On 21 May 2025, the Dutch authorities proposed the appointment of Captain André (Annius) VAN DER KAMP as
the head of the military command and support cell of the Initiative (the ‘proposed appointment’).
(4) On 2 June 2025, the Military Commander for the military pillar of the Initiative supported the proposed
appointment.
(5) On 18 June 2025, the European Union Military Committee agreed to recommend that the PSC approve the
proposed appointment.
(6) A decision should be taken on the appointment of Captain André (Annius) VAN DER KAMP as the head of the
military command and support cell of the Initiative as from 16 July 2025.
(7) Decision (CFSP) 2025/69 should be repealed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Captain André (Annius) VAN DER KAMP is hereby appointed as the head of the military command and support cell of the
European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea as from 16 July
2025.
Article 2
Decision (CFSP) 2025/69 is hereby repealed.
(1) OJ L 196, 4.8.2023, p. 25, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/1599/oj.
(2) Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2025/69 of 8 January 2025 on the appointment of the head of the military
command and support cell of the European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf
of Guinea (EUSDI/1/2025) (OJ L, 2025/69, 13.1.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/69/oj).
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/1431/oj 1/2EN
OJ L, 17.7.2025
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on 16 July 2025.
Done at Brussels, 9 July 2025.
For the Political and Security Committee
The Chairperson
D. PRONK
2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/1431/oj