Date: 2026-07-30Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2026/1886 of 16 July 2026 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) 2026/58 (EUSDI/1/2026)
**Executive Summary**
This decision formally appoints Captain André (Annius) VAN DER KAMP as the head of the military command and support cell for the European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea. The appointment and the decision itself enter into force on 27 July 2026. Consequently, the previous appointment decision, (CFSP) 2026/58, is repealed as of the same date.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Leadership Appointment**
* Captain André (Annius) VAN DER KAMP is designated as the head of the military command and support cell for the Initiative.
* The appointment was proposed by Dutch military authorities on 8 June 2026.
* The Military Commander for the military pillar and the EU Military Committee supported and recommended the appointment in June 2026.
* **Repeal of Previous Decision**
* Decision (CFSP) 2026/58, which appointed Colonel Emilio Asensio BAUTISTA MARTÍNEZ to the position effective 9 January 2026, is repealed.
* **Governance and Mandate**
* The Political and Security Committee (PSC) maintains political control and strategic direction of the Initiative.
* The PSC is authorized by the Council to take relevant decisions regarding the appointment of the head of the military command and support cell.
* **Effective Dates**
* The decision was adopted on 16 July 2026.
* The appointment and the repeal of the previous decision take effect on 27 July 2026.
**Impact Analysis**
**Captain André (Annius) VAN DER KAMP**
**Impact**
He is officially assigned as the new lead for the military command and support cell of the Initiative.
**Action Required**
Assume leadership and operational responsibilities for the military command and support cell starting 27 July 2026.
**Colonel Emilio Asensio BAUTISTA MARTÍNEZ**
**Impact**
His term as the head of the military command and support cell is concluded following the repeal of Decision (CFSP) 2026/58.
**Action Required**
Complete the handover of duties to the incoming head by the effective date of 27 July 2026.
**Political and Security Committee (PSC)**
**Impact**
Exercises its authority under Article 38 of the Treaty on European Union to manage the leadership of the Initiative.
**Action Required**
Ensure the formal implementation of the leadership transition and maintain strategic direction over the Initiative.
Key Entities Referenced
Captain André (Annius) VAN DER KAMP: The individual appointed as the head of the military command and support cell of the Initiative as of July 2026.
Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1599: The primary legal act that established the initiative and defined the governance roles of the PSC.
European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea: The central initiative established to provide security and defence support to nations in the Gulf of Guinea region.
Political and Security Committee (PSC): The EU body exercising political control and strategic direction of the initiative, including the authority to appoint military leadership.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2026/1886 30.7.2026
POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2026/1886
of 16 July 2026
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) 2026/58 (EUSDI/1/2026)
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), and 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, including decisions on the appointment of the head of the
military command and support cell.
(2) On 16 December 2025, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2026/58(2)appointing Colonel Emilio Asensio BAUTISTA
MARTÍNEZ as head of the military command and support cell of the Initiative as from 9 January 2026.
(3) On 8 June 2026, the Dutch military authorities proposed the appointment of Captain André (Annius) VAN DER
KAMP as head of the military command and support cell of the Initiative (the ‘proposed appointment’).
(4) On 16 June 2026, the Military Commander for the military pillar of the Initiative supported the proposed
appointment.
(5) On 23 June 2026, the EU Military Committee supported the proposed appointment and recommended that the PSC
approve it.
(6) A decision on the appointment of Captain André (Annius) VAN DER KAMP as head of the military command and
support cell of the Initiative as from 27 July 2026 should be taken.
(7) Decision (CFSP) 2026/58 should be 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) 2026/58 of 16 December 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) 2025/1431 (EUSDI/4/2025) (OJ L, 2026/58, 6.1.2026, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/
2026/58/oj).
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1886/oj 1/2EN
OJ L, 30.7.2026
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Captain André (Annius) VAN DER KAMP is appointed as 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 27 July 2026.
Article 2
Decision (CFSP) 2026/58 is hereby repealed.
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on 27 July 2026.
Done at Brussels, 16 July 2026.
For the Political and Security Committee
The Chairperson
L. MANDEL VENSILD
2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1886/oj