Date: 2026-01-28Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2026/236 of 27 January 2026 on the appointment of the EU Mission Force Commander for the European Union military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces (EUTM Somalia) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2025/1398 (EUTM Somalia/1/2026)
**Executive Summary**
This document is a Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2026/236, dated 27 January 2026, regarding the appointment of the EU Mission Force Commander for the European Union military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces (EUTM Somalia). It also repeals Decision (CFSP) 2025/1398. The decision enters into force on 30 January 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Appointment:**
* Brigadier General Elio MANES is appointed as EU Mission Force Commander for EUTM Somalia, effective 30 January 2026.
* **Repeal:**
* Decision (CFSP) 2025/1398 is repealed.
* **Entry into Force:**
* This decision enters into force on 30 January 2026.
**Impact Analysis**
**EU Mission Force Commander (Previously Brigadier General Marco MANZONE):**
* **Impact:** End of mandate, previous appointment is repealed.
* **Action Required:** None specified.
**Brigadier General Elio MANES:**
* **Impact:** Appointed as the new EU Mission Force Commander for EUTM Somalia
* **Action Required:** Assume the role of EU Mission Force Commander, effective 30 January 2026.
**Political and Security Committee (PSC):**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the decision on the appointment.
* **Action Required:** Implementation of the decision, monitoring the mission.
**EUTM Somalia:**
* **Impact:** A change in command with the appointment of a new Mission Force Commander.
* **Action Required:** Adjust to new leadership.
Key Entities Referenced
Decision (CFSP) 2025/1398: The EU decision that is being repealed by the present decision.
EUTM Somalia: The European Union military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces.
Elio MANES: The EU Mission Force Commander for the EUTM Somalia.
Political and Security Committee: The EU body that authorized decisions on the appointment of the EU Mission Force Commander for EUTM Somalia.
Decision 2010/96/CFSP: The Council Decision establishing the European Union military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2026/236 28.1.2026
POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2026/236
of 27 January 2026
on the appointment of the EU Mission Force Commander for the European Union military mission
to contribute to the training of Somali security forces (EUTM Somalia) and repealing Decision (CFSP)
2025/1398 (EUTM Somalia/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 2010/96/CFSP of 15 February 2010 on a European Union military mission to
contribute to the training of Somali security forces,(1) and in particular Article 5(1) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) On 15 February 2010, the Council adopted Decision 2010/96/CFSP, which established a European Union military
mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces (EUTM Somalia).
(2) Pursuant to Article 5(1) of Decision 2010/96/CFSP, the Council authorised the Political and Security Committee
(PSC) to take decisions on the appointment of the EU Mission Force Commander for EUTM Somalia (the ‘EU Mission
Force Commander’).
(3) On 9 July 2025, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2025/1398(2), appointing Brigadier General Marco MANZONE as
EU Mission Force Commander as from 18 July 2025.
(4) On 27 November 2025, the Head of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability Directorate was informed by the
Italian military authorities that Brigadier General Marco MANZONE’s mandate as EU Mission Force Commander had
ended.
(5) On 17 December 2025, the Italian military authorities proposed the appointment of Colonel Elio MANES to succeed
Brigadier General Marco MANZONE as EU Mission Force Commander (the ‘proposed appointment’). The Italian
military authorities indicated that Colonel Elio MANES would be promoted to Brigadier General before his
appointment as EU Mission Force Commander.
(6) On 18 December 2025, the EU Mission Commander for EUTM Somalia supported the proposed appointment.
(7) On 8 January 2026, the EU Military Committee supported the proposed appointment and agreed that Colonel Elio
MANES be appointed as EU Mission Force Commander.
(8) A decision on the appointment of Colonel Elio MANES as EU Mission Force Commander should be taken.
(9) Decision (CFSP) 2025/1398 should be repealed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Brigadier General Elio MANES is appointed as EU Mission Force Commander for the European Union military mission to
contribute to the training of Somali security forces (EUTM Somalia) as from 30 January 2026.
Article 2
Decision (CFSP) 2025/1398 is hereby repealed.
(1) OJ L 44, 19.2.2010, p. 16, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2010/96(1)/oj.
(2) Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2025/1398 of 9 July 2025 on the appointment of the EU Mission Force
Commander of the European Union military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces (EUTM Somalia) and
repealing Decision (CFSP) 2024/1908 (EUTM Somalia/1/2025) (OJ L, 2025/1398, 11.7.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/
2025/1398/oj).
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/236/oj 1/2EN
OJ L, 28.1.2026
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on 30 January 2026.
Done at Brussels, 27 January 2026.
For the Political and Security Committee
The Chairperson
D. PRONK
2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/236/oj