The European Council on 16 December decided to prolong the mandate of the EU Naval Force Operation ATALANTA and of the EU’s military training mission in Somalia (EUTM Somalia) until 28 February 2027.
On December 16, the European Council decided to extend the mandates of the EU Naval Force Operation ATALANTA and the EU Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM Somalia) until February 28, 2027. This extension follows the prior decision on December 5 to prolong the EU’s civilian capacity-building mission (EUCAP Somalia) for the same duration, as part of a comprehensive review of the EU’s security strategy in Somalia and the Horn of Africa.
Operation ATALANTA’s updated mandate aims to bolster maritime security in the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, and West Indian Ocean, focusing on combating piracy and illicit trafficking. The initiative will enhance cooperation with the maritime Operation ASPIDES and rebrand the Maritime Security Center Horn of Africa to MSC Indian Ocean, reinforcing its role in regional maritime security efforts.
In Somalia, the renewed mandates for EUCAP and EUTM will facilitate the development of sustainable Somali security institutions through training, mentoring, and equipment support under the European Peace Facility, aligning with the Joint EU-Somalia Roadmap. The missions will also assist regional maritime security forces, particularly Djibouti, while upholding core EU values such as international humanitarian law, human rights, and the promotion of women’s security and climate considerations.
