European Peace Facility: Council adopts an assistance measure in support of military actors and navi

The Council adopted an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility worth €21 million to support the Yaoundé Architecture and strengthen the capacities of military actors and navies of selected coastal states – Ghana and Cameroon – involved in maritime security operations in the Gulf of Guin

The newly adopted support under the European Peace Facility shows an increased EU’s capacity to act as a reliable, long-term security partner and maritime security provider. In a challenging maritime area such as the Gulf of Guinea, we will contribute to further strengthen the Yaoundé Architecture and the capacities of our partner countries’ navies to patrol the high seas.

Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Through this assistance measure, the EU will provide Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) services to the Yaoundé Architecture to allow the provision of a recognised maritime picture, and non-lethal equipment to the navies of Ghana and Cameroon, such as rigid hull inflatable boats, intervention speed boats, engines, light naval rotary unmanned air vehicles, marine generators for ships and scuba diving equipment, in full respect of relevant international law, in particular international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

The proposed assistance measure seeks to complement the EU-initiated Coordinated Maritime Presence in the Gulf of Guinea, and, in line with EU’s ambition to act as a reliable security partner in the Gulf of Guinea, it will also complement the newly established Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) initiative in support of the land force of Western Africa’s coastal states.

Background

The European Peace Facility was established in March 2021 to finance all Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) actions in military and defence areas, with the aim of preventing conflict, preserving peace and strengthening international security and stability. In particular, the European Peace Facility allows the EU to finance actions designed to strengthen the capacities of third states and regional and international organisations as regards military and defence matters.