Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2506 of 8 December 2025 on an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility to support the Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire
Date: 2025-12-08
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Côte d'Ivoire, European Peace Facility, armed forces, military cooperation, military equipment, public safety, regional security




L_202502506EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
L series













2025/2506


9.12.2025







            COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2025/2506
         
of 8 December 2025
         
on an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility to support the Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire


THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 28(1) and Article 41(2) thereof,


Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:







(1)


Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 (1) establishes the European Peace Facility (EPF) for the financing by Member States of Union actions under the common foreign and security policy to preserve peace, prevent conflicts and strengthen international security pursuant to Article 21(2), point (c), of the Treaty. In particular, pursuant to Article 1(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509, the EPF is to be used for the financing of assistance measures such as actions to strengthen the capacities of third States and regional and international organisations relating to military and defence matters.












(2)


The northern regions of four coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea – namely Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin and Togo – have been experiencing deteriorating security conditions in connection with the crisis affecting the central Sahel.












(3)


In light of the deteriorating security environment, strengthening the armed forces is an important element in enabling and supporting stabilisation efforts in Côte d’Ivoire. In this context, and recognising that the situation requires an integrated response, ensuring long-term peace and security in Côte d’Ivoire remains a key priority for the Union.












(4)


On 3 August 2023, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/1599 (2), which established the European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea, namely Ghana and Benin, under the common security and defence policy (CSDP) (the ‘Initiative’). On 25 September 2023, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/2066 (3), also establishing the Initiative in Côte d’Ivoire and Togo. On 11 December 2023, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/2786 (4), launching the Initiative. The strategic objective of the Initiative is to assist the West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea in which the Initiative is established in developing the adequate capabilities within their security and defence forces to contain and respond to the pressure exercised by terrorist armed groups.












(5)


On 29 April 2024, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/1248 (5), establishing an assistance measure under the EPF to support the Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire.












(6)


In June 2025, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy received a request from Côte d’Ivoire for the Union to further assist the Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire with the procurement of key equipment and services in order to strengthen their operational capabilities to secure land borders and to counter non-state armed groups which are destabilising the country and the whole West Africa region.












(7)


Assistance measures are to be implemented taking into account the principles and requirements set out in Decision (CFSP) 2021/509, in particular compliance with Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (6), and in line with the rules for the implementation of revenue and expenditure financed under the EPF.












(8)


The Council reaffirms its determination to protect, promote and fulfil human rights, fundamental freedoms and democratic principles and to strengthen the rule of law and good governance, in compliance with the Charter of the United Nations, with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international law, in particular international human rights law and international humanitarian law,





HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:



Article 1

Establishment, objectives, scope and duration


1.   An assistance measure benefiting Côte d’Ivoire (the ‘beneficiary’) to be financed under the European Peace Facility (EPF) (the ‘assistance measure’) is hereby established.


2.   The objectives of the assistance measure are the following:






(a)


to strengthen the cooperation on security and defence between the Union and Côte d’Ivoire;










(b)


to contribute to enhancing the overall security and defence capacities of the Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Côte d’Ivoire and its civilian population against internal and external threats.






3.   To achieve the objectives set out in paragraph 2, the assistance measure shall finance the following types of equipment not designed to deliver lethal force:






(a)


intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment;










(b)


individual combat parachutes.




The assistance measure shall also finance related supplies and services, including technical training in conjunction with the equipment provided, where needed.


4.   The duration of the assistance measure shall be 42 months from the date of adoption of this Decision.



Article 2

Financial arrangements


1.   The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to the assistance measure shall be EUR 20 000 000.


2.   All expenditure shall be managed in accordance with Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 and in line with the rules for the implementation of revenue and expenditure financed under the EPF.



Article 3

Arrangements with the beneficiary


1.   The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘High Representative’) shall make the necessary arrangements with the beneficiary to ensure its compliance with the requirements and conditions established by this Decision as a condition for the provision of support under the assistance measure.


2.   The arrangements referred to in paragraph 1 shall include provisions obliging the beneficiary to ensure:






(a)


compliance of the units of the Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire supported under the assistance measure with relevant international law, in particular international human rights law and international humanitarian law;










(b)


proper and efficient use of any assets provided under the assistance measure for the purposes for which they were provided;










(c)


sufficient maintenance of any assets provided under the assistance measure to ensure their usability and operational availability over their life cycle;










(d)


that any assets provided under the assistance measure are not lost or transferred to persons or entities other than those identified in those arrangements.






3.   The arrangements referred to in paragraph 1 shall include provisions on the suspension and termination of support under the assistance measure in the event of the beneficiary being found in breach of the obligations set out in paragraph 2.



Article 4

Implementation


1.   The High Representative shall be responsible for ensuring the implementation of this Decision in accordance with Decision (CFSP) 2021/509, and in line with the rules for the implementation of revenue and expenditure financed under the EPF and with the Integrated Methodological Framework for assessing and identifying the required measures and controls for assistance measures under the EPF.


2.   The implementation of the activities referred to in Article 1(3) shall be carried out by Défense Conseil International (DCI Group).



Article 5

Monitoring, control and evaluation


1.   The High Representative shall monitor the compliance by the beneficiary with the obligations set out in Article 3. That monitoring shall be used to provide awareness of the context and the risks of breaches of the obligations set out in Article 3, and to contribute to the prevention of such breaches, including violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law by the units of the Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire supported under the assistance measure.


2.   The post-shipment control of equipment and supplies shall be organised as follows:






(a)


delivery verification, whereby EPF delivery certificates are to be signed by the end-user forces upon transfer of ownership;










(b)


reporting, whereby the beneficiary is to report annually on the activities conducted with the equipment, supplies and services provided under the assistance measure and on the inventory of designated items until such reporting is no longer deemed necessary by the Political and Security Committee (PSC);










(c)


on-site visits, whereby the beneficiary is to grant the High Representative and the EPF auditors access to conduct on-site checks and EPF audits, upon request.






3.   The High Representative shall conduct a final evaluation upon completion of the assistance measure to assess whether the assistance measure has contributed to reaching the objectives set out in Article 1(2).



Article 6

Reporting

During the period of implementation, the High Representative shall provide the PSC with six-monthly reports on the implementation of the assistance measure, in accordance with Article 63 of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509. The administrator for assistance measures shall regularly inform the Facility Committee established by Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 on the implementation of revenue and expenditure in accordance with Article 38 of that Decision, including by providing information on the suppliers and subcontractors involved.


Article 7

Suspension and termination


1.   The PSC may decide to suspend wholly or partially the implementation of the assistance measure in accordance with Article 64 of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509.


2.   The PSC may recommend that the Council terminate the assistance measure.



Article 8

Entry into force

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.




Done at Brussels, 8 December 2025.


For the Council


The President

R. STOKLUND
            





(1)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 of 22 March 2021 establishing a European Peace Facility, and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2015/528 (OJ L 102, 24.3.2021, p. 14, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2021/509/oj).

(2)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1599 of 3 August 2023 on a European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea (OJ L 196, 4.8.2023, p. 25, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/1599/oj).

(3)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/2066 of 25 September 2023 amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/1599 on a European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea (OJ L 238, 27.9.2023, p. 141, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/2066/oj).

(4)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/2786 of 11 December 2023 launching the European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea (OJ L, 2023/2786, 12.12.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/2786/oj).

(5)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/1248 of 29 April 2024 on an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility to support the Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire (OJ L, 2024/1248, 30.4.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/1248/oj).

(6)  Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP of 8 December 2008 defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment (OJ L 335, 13.12.2008, p. 99, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/compos/2008/944/oj).


ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/2506/oj
ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)