COUNCIL DECISION 2011/819/CFSP
of 8 December 2011
appointing the European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 28, Article 31(2) and Article 33 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
(1)
There is a need for a regional response by the Union to the complex and inter-related challenges in the Horn of Africa region.
(2)
Mr Alexander RONDOS should be appointed European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Horn of Africa for the period from 1 January to 30 June 2012.
(3)
The EUSR will implement his mandate in the context of a situation which may deteriorate and could impede the achievement of the objectives of the Union’s external action as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
European Union Special Representative
Mr Alexander RONDOS is hereby appointed European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Horn of Africa for the period from 1 January to 30 June 2012. The mandate of the EUSR may be extended or terminated earlier, if the Council so decides, on a proposal of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR).
For the purposes of the mandate of the EUSR, the Horn of Africa is defined as comprising the Republic of Djibouti, the State of Eritrea, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Republic of Kenya, the Somali Republic, the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of the Sudan and the Republic of Uganda. For issues with broader regional implications, including piracy, the EUSR shall engage with countries and regional entities beyond the Horn of Africa, as appropriate.
In view of the need for a regional approach to the inter-related challenges facing the region, the EUSR for the Horn of Africa shall work in close consultation with the EUSR for South Sudan and the Sudan who shall retain primary responsibility for those two countries.
Article 2
Policy objectives
1. The mandate of the EUSR shall be based on the policy objectives of the European Union (‘EU’ or ‘Union’) in relation to the Horn of Africa to contribute actively to regional and international efforts to achieve lasting peace, security and development in the region. The EUSR shall furthermore aim to enhance the quality, intensity and impact of the EU’s multi-faceted engagement in the Horn of Africa.
2. Initial priority shall be given to Somalia and to the regional dimensions of the conflict, as well as to piracy which has its root causes in the instability of Somalia.
3. With regard to Somalia, the EU’s policy objectives aim, through the coordinated and effective use of all its instruments, to promote a return for Somalia and its people to a path of peace and prosperity. To that end, the EU supports the role of the United Nations (UN) in facilitating a credible and inclusive Somali-led political process and will continue to contribute actively, together with regional and international partners, to the implementation of the Djibouti Peace Agreement and its post-transition arrangements.
4. Regarding piracy, the EUSR’s role shall be to contribute to developing and implementing a coherent, effective and balanced EU approach to piracy originating in Somalia, encompassing all aspects of EU action, particularly in the political, security and development areas and to be the EU’s key interlocutor on piracy for the international community including the Eastern and Southern Africa and Indian Ocean (ESA/IO) region.
Article 3
Mandate
1. In order to achieve the EU’s policy objectives in relation to the Horn of Africa, the mandate of the EUSR shall be to:
(a)
engage with all relevant stakeholders of the region, governments, existing regional authorities, international and regional organisations, civil society and diasporas, with a view to furthering the EU’s objectives and contribute to a better understanding of the role of the Union in the region;
(b)
represent the Union in relevant international fora and ensure visibility for EU support to crisis management and prevention;
(c)
encourage and support effective political cooperation and economic integration in the region through the EU’s partnership with the African Union (AU) and sub-regional organisations;
(d)
contribute to the implementation of the EU’s policy towards the Horn of Africa, in close cooperation with the European External Action Service (EEAS), Union delegations in the region and the Commission;
(e)
with regard to Somalia, and working in close coordination with relevant regional and international partners, contribute actively to actions and initiatives leading to the implementation of the Djibouti Peace Agreement and its post-transition arrangements, supporting institution-building, the rule of law, and the establishment of capable governance structures at all levels; improving security; promoting justice, national reconciliation and respect for human rights; improving humanitarian access, especially in South-Central Somalia through appropriate advocacy activities regarding respect for international humanitarian law; and safeguarding compliance with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence;
(f)
maintain close and active cooperation with the United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) Special Representative for Somalia, participate in the work of the International Contact Group for Somalia and other relevant fora, and promote a coordinated and coherent international approach towards Somalia, including, through the European Union military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces (EUTM Somalia), EUNAVFOR Atalanta and EU’s continued support to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), working closely with Member States;
(g)
closely follow the regional dimension of the Somali crisis, including terrorism, arms smuggling, refugee and migration flows, and maritime security, piracy and related financial flows;
(h)
regarding piracy, maintain an overview of all EU actions within the EEAS, the Commission and Member States, and maintain regular high level political contacts with the countries in the region affected by piracy originating in Somalia, the regional organisations, the UN Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, the UN and other key actors in order to ensure a coherent and comprehensive approach to piracy and to ensure the EU’s key role in the international efforts to fight piracy. This includes the EU’s active support to regional maritime capacity-building and for the judicial treatment of pirates, and ensuring that the root causes of piracy within Somalia are adequately addressed. It also includes continued support to the ESA/IO region in the implementation of its counter piracy strategy and action plan as well as the Djibouti Code of Conduct;
(i)
follow political developments in the region and contribute to the development of the EU policy towards the region, including in relation to the Ethiopia-Eritrea border issue and implementation of the Algiers Agreement, the Nile Basin initiative and other concerns in the region that impact on its security, stability, prosperity, including the challenge of ensuring accountable governments or in cases of outbreak of violence or political breakdown;
(j)
follow closely the trans-boundary challenges affecting the Horn of Africa, including any political and security consequences of humanitarian crises;
(k)
contribute to the implementation of EU human rights policy in the Horn of Africa, including the EU Guidelines on human rights, in particular the EU Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflict as well as on violence against women and girls and combating all forms of discrimination against them, and the EU policy on Women, Peace and Security, including by monitoring and reporting on developments as well as formulating recommendations in this regard.
2. For the purpose of the fulfilment of his mandate, the EUSR shall, inter alia:
(a)
advise and report on the definition of EU positions in international fora in order to promote proactively the EU’s comprehensive policy approach towards the Horn of Africa;
(b)
maintain an overview of all activities of the Union and cooperate closely with all relevant Union delegations.
Article 4
Implementation of the mandate
1. The EUSR shall be responsible for the implementation of the mandate acting under the authority of the HR.
2. The Political and Security Committee (PSC) shall maintain a privileged link with the EUSR and shall be the EUSR’s primary point of contact with the Council. The PSC shall provide the EUSR with strategic guidance and political direction within the framework of the mandate, without prejudice to the powers of the HR.
3. The EUSR shall work in close coordination with the EEAS.
Article 5
Financing
1. The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to the mandate of the EUSR for the period from 1 January to 30 June 2012 shall be EUR 670 000.
2. The expenditure shall be managed in accordance with the procedures and rules applicable to the general budget of the Union.
3. The management of the expenditure shall be subject to a contract between the EUSR and the Commission. The EUSR shall be accountable to the Commission for all expenditure.
Article 6
Constitution and composition of the team
1. Within the limits of the EUSR’s mandate and the corresponding financial means made available, the EUSR shall be responsible for constituting a team. The team shall include the expertise on specific policy and security issues as required by the mandate. The EUSR shall keep the Council and the Commission promptly informed of the composition of the team.
2. Member States, institutions of the Union and the EEAS may propose the secondment of staff to work with the EUSR. The salary of personnel who are seconded by a Member State, an institution of the Union or the EEAS to the EUSR shall be covered by the Member State, the institution of the Union concerned or the EEAS, respectively. Experts seconded by Member States to the institutions of the Union or the EEAS may also be posted to the EUSR. International contracted staff shall have the nationality of a Member State.
3. All seconded personnel shall remain under the administrative authority of the sending Member State, institution of the Union or the EEAS and shall carry out their duties and act in the interest of the mandate of the EUSR.
Article 7
Privileges and immunities of the EUSR and the staff of the EUSR
The privileges, immunities and further guarantees necessary for the completion and smooth functioning of the mission of the EUSR and the members of the EUSR’s staff shall be agreed with the host country/countries, as appropriate. Member States and the Commission shall grant all necessary support to such effect.
Article 8
Security of EU classified information
The EUSR and the members of the EUSR’s team shall respect the security principles and minimum standards established by Council Decision 2011/292/EU of 31 March 2011 on the security rules for protecting EU classified information (1).
Article 9
Access to information and logistical support
1. Member States, the Commission, the EEAS and the General Secretariat of the Council shall ensure that the EUSR is given access to any relevant information.
2. The Union delegations and/or the Member States, as appropriate, shall provide logistical support in the region.
Article 10
Security
In accordance with the EU policy on the security of personnel deployed outside the Union in an operational capacity under Title V of the Treaty, the EUSR shall take all reasonably practicable measures, in conformity with his mandate and the security situation in his geographical area of responsibility, for the security of all personnel under his direct authority, in particular by:
(a)
establishing a mission-specific security plan, including mission-specific physical, organisational and procedural security measures, governing the management of the secure movement of personnel to, and within, the mission area, as well as the management of security incidents and including a mission contingency and evacuation plan;
(b)
ensuring that all personnel deployed outside the Union are covered by high-risk insurance as required by the conditions in the mission area;
(c)
ensuring that all members of the EUSR’s team to be deployed outside the Union, including locally contracted personnel, have received appropriate security training before or upon arriving in the mission area, based on the risk ratings assigned to the mission area;
(d)
ensuring that all agreed recommendations made following regular security assessments are implemented, and providing the Council, the HR and the Commission with written reports on their implementation and on other security issues within the framework of the mid-term report and the report on the implementation of the mandate.
Article 11
Reporting
1. The EUSR shall regularly provide the HR and the PSC with oral and written reports. The EUSR shall also report as necessary to Council working parties. Regular written reports shall be circulated through the COREU network. Upon recommendation of the HR or the PSC, the EUSR may provide the Foreign Affairs Council with reports.
2. The EUSR shall report on the best way of pursuing Union initiatives, such as the contribution of the Union to reforms, and including the political aspects of relevant Union development projects, in coordination with Union delegations in the region.
Article 12
Coordination
1. The EUSR shall promote overall Union political coordination and shall help Union delegations to ensure that all Union instruments in the field are engaged coherently to attain the EU’s policy objectives. The activities of the EUSR shall be coordinated with those of Union delegations and of the Commission, as well as those of other EUSRs active in the region, in particular with the EUSR for South Sudan and the Sudan and the EUSR to the AU. The EUSR shall provide Member States’ missions and Union delegations in the region with regular briefings.
2. In the field, close liaison shall be maintained with Union delegations and Member State Heads of Mission. They shall make best efforts to assist the EUSR in the implementation of the mandate. The EUSR, in close coordination with the relevant Union delegations, shall provide local political guidance to the Force Commander of EUNAVFOR Atalanta and the Mission Commander of EUTM Somalia. The EUSR and the EU Operation Commander shall consult each other as required.
3. The EUSR shall closely cooperate with the authorities of the countries involved, the UN, the AU, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), other national, regional and international stakeholders, and also with civil society in the region.
Article 13
Review
The implementation of this Decision and its consistency with other contributions from the Union to the region shall be kept under regular review. The EUSR shall present to the Council, the HR and the Commission a comprehensive mandate implementation report at the end of the mandate.
Article 14
Entry into force
This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.
Done at Brussels, 8 December 2011.