Date: 2026-01-06Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
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)
**Executive Summary**
This document is a Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2026/58, dated December 16, 2025, regarding the appointment of Colonel Emilio Asensio BAUTISTA MARTÍNEZ 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 decision also repeals Decision (CFSP) 2025/1431. This decision enters into force on January 9, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Appointment:**
* Colonel Emilio Asensio BAUTISTA MARTÍNEZ is appointed as head of the military command and support cell.
* The appointment is effective from January 9, 2026.
* **Repeal:**
* Decision (CFSP) 2025/1431 is repealed.
* **Entry into Force:**
* This decision enters into force on January 9, 2026.
**Impact Analysis**
**Colonel Emilio Asensio BAUTISTA MARTÍNEZ**
* **Impact:** Assumes the role of head of the military command and support cell.
* **Action Required:** To take up the responsibilities of the head of the military command and support cell from January 9, 2026.
**Political and Security Committee (PSC)**
* **Impact:** Exercises the political control and strategic direction of the Initiative.
* **Action Required:** Oversee and support the new head of the military command and support cell in their role.
**Member States Involved in the Initiative**
* **Impact:** Continued support for the initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea.
* **Action Required:** Ensure that the Initiative continues under the leadership of Colonel Emilio Asensio BAUTISTA MARTÍNEZ.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea: A European Union initiative aimed at supporting West African countries in the Gulf of Guinea with security and defence.
Political and Security Committee (PSC): Committee responsible for 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.
Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1599: A Council Decision establishing the European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea.
Decision (CFSP) 2025/1431: A Decision appointing the head of the military command and support cell of the Initiative; repealed by the new decision.
Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2026/58: Decision on the appointment of the head of the military command and support cell of the European Union Security and Defence Initiative and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2025/1431.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2026/58 6.1.2026
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)
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 on European Union, including decisions on the appointment of
the head of the military command and support cell.
(2) On 9 July 2025, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2025/1431(2) appointing Captain André (Annius) VAN DER
KAMP as head of the military command and support cell of the Initiative as from 16 July 2025.
(3) On 3 December 2025, the Spanish military authorities proposed the appointment of Colonel Emilio Asensio
BAUTISTA MARTÍNEZ as head of the military command and support cell of the Initiative (the ‘proposed
appointment’).
(4) On 9 December 2025, the Military Commander for the military pillar of the Initiative supported the proposed
appointment.
(5) On 12 December 2025, the EU Military Committee supported the proposed appointment and recommended that
the PSC approve it.
(6) A decision on the appointment of Colonel Emilio Asensio BAUTISTA MARTÍNEZ as head of the military command
and support cell of the Initiative as from 9 January 2026 should be taken.
(7) Decision (CFSP) 2025/1431 should be repealed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Colonel Emilio Asensio BAUTISTA MARTÍNEZ 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
9 January 2026.
Article 2
Decision (CFSP) 2025/1431 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) 2025/1431 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) (OJ L, 2025/1431, 17.7.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/
2025/1431/oj).
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/58/oj 1/2EN
OJ L, 6.1.2026
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on 9 January 2026.
Done at Brussels, 16 December 2025.
For the Political and Security Committee
The Chairperson
D. PRONK
2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/58/oj