Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1718 of 13 July 2026 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa and amending Decision (CFSP) 2021/1012
Date: 2026-07-13
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Horn of Africa, diplomatic representation, peaceful co-existence, regional development, regional security




L_202601718EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
L series













2026/1718


14.7.2026







            COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2026/1718
         
of 13 July 2026
         
extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa and amending Decision (CFSP) 2021/1012


THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 33, in conjunction with Article 31(2) thereof,


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

Whereas:







(1)


On 8 December 2011, the Council agreed to appoint a European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Horn of Africa.












(2)


On 21 June 2021, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2021/1012 (1), appointing Ms Annette WEBER as the EUSR for the Horn of Africa.












(3)


On 18 July 2022, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/1238 (2), extending the mandate of Ms Annette WEBER as the EUSR for the Horn of Africa until 31 August 2024.












(4)


On 26 July 2024, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/2082 (3), extending the mandate of Ms Annette WEBER as the EUSR for the Horn of Africa. The EUSR’s mandate expires on 31 August 2026.












(5)


The EUSR’s mandate should be extended for a further period of 12 months and a new financial reference amount for the period from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027 should be established.












(6)


The EUSR will implement the 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
Decision (CFSP) 2021/1012 is amended as follows:






(1)


in Article 1, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

‘1.   Ms Annette WEBER is hereby appointed as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Horn of Africa from 1 July 2021 to 31 August 2022.
The mandate of Ms Annette WEBER as the EUSR for the Horn of Africa is extended until 31 August 2024.
The mandate of Ms Annette WEBER as the EUSR for the Horn of Africa is extended until 31 August 2026.
The mandate of Ms Annette WEBER as the EUSR for the Horn of Africa is extended until 31 August 2027.
The Council may decide that the EUSR’s mandate be terminated earlier, on the basis of an assessment by the Political and Security Committee (PSC) and a proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the “HR”).’
;









(2)


in Article 2, paragraph 3 is replaced by the following

‘3.   The EUSR shall contribute to the Union’s commitment to deepen its strategic relationship and partnership with the Horn of Africa region and its countries, in full respect of the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, the objective being to support peace and security, democracy, human rights, rule of law, gender equality, humanitarian principles and International Humanitarian Law (IHL), sustainable development, economic growth, climate action and regional cooperation.’
;









(3)


in Article 5(1), the following subparagraph is added:
‘The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to the EUSR’s mandate for the period from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027 shall be EUR 2 701 444,65’;









(4)


Article 13 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 13
Subrogation of rights
For the purposes of ensuring the respect of legal commitments entered into by previous EUSRs for the Horn of Africa with regard to their team members, the procurement of works, supplies or services and the rental of land, buildings or other immovable property, the EUSR shall succeed to, and assume the rights and obligations of, such previous EUSRs, with the exception of obligations arising from serious misconduct for which such previous EUSRs shall remain solely responsible.’
;









(5)


in Article 14, the second sentence is replaced by the following:
‘The EUSR shall present the Council, the HR and the Commission with regular progress reports and a final comprehensive mandate implementation report by 31 May 2027.’.






Article 2

Entry into force

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




Done at Brussels, 13 July 2026.


For the Council


The President

K. KALLAS
            





(1)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/1012 of 21 June 2021 appointing the European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa (OJ L 222, 22.6.2021, p. 27, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2021/1012/oj).

(2)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/1238 of 18 July 2022 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa and amending Decision (CFSP) 2021/1012 (OJ L 190, 19.7.2022, p. 127, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2022/1238/oj).

(3)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/2082 of 26 July 2024 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa and amending Decision (CFSP) 2021/1012 (OJ L, 2024/2082, 29.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/2082/oj).


ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1718/oj
ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)