The initiative will combine military and civilian security and defence expertise

The EU Foreign Affairs Council launched on 11 December an EU security and defence initiative to support West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea initially for two years. It also approved the operation and mission plans for the initiative’s civilian and military pillars.

This initiative is part of the EU’s integrated approach to the region and will support Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin in tackling instability and insecurity challenges by reinforcing the security and defence forces’ capabilities of the West African countries to contain and respond to the terrorist threats in their northern regions.

In practice, it will combine military and civilian security and defence expertise, such as providing short-term training teams or visiting experts, in complementarity with European Peace Facility assistance measures, such as the recently adopted ones to support the Beninese Armed Forces (€11.75 million) and the Ghana Armed Forces (€8.25 million).

“With the launch of this Security and Defence Initiative, the EU is stepping up support to tackle the spillover of insecurity from the Sahel to the West African coastal states. As part of a wider response pulling together prevention, socio-economic development and humanitarian assistance, this initiative will provide tailor-made support in line with the needs expressed by our partners. It shows the EU’s commitment with the countries willing to work with us,” commented Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.