EU Operations Centre to support CSDP missions in the Horn of Africa

The Council today activated the EU Operations Centre in support of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions in the Horn of Africa. This is the first activation of the EU Operations Centre.

The Operations Centre will coordinate and increase synergies between the three CSDP actions in the Horn of Africa. The EU is currently conducting two military operations – EUNAVFOR Atalanta, which fights piracy off the Somali coast, and EUTM Somalia, which contributes to the training of Somali security forces. It has also started operational planning for a civilian mission to strengthen maritime capacities in the region (RMCB).

The Operations Centre will provide direct support to the operations commander for the planning and conduct of the RMCB mission and facilitate coordination between EUTM and Operation Atalanta and their interaction with Brussels-based structures. If requested, it will also support strategic planning for CSDP missions and operations in the Horn of Africa.

The Operations Centre will not have command responsibility, but will fully respect the existing chains of command. It will include some EU military staff, the Brussels-based support cell for the EU training mission in Somalia, the liaison team of Operation Atalanta in Brussels as well as staff seconded by member states.

The head of the EU Operations Centre will be Captain Ad van der Linde (Netherlands).The Operations Centre, which was created in 2003, will be active for an initial duration of two years. Its activities and financing will be regularly reviewed.

(bron: Raad van de Europese Unie, 23 maart 2012)