22.4.2022
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
L 121/39
(5)
By its letter of 1 July 2021 addressed to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the AU requested the Union to provide continued support from 1 July 2021 to African-led peace support operations mandated or authorised by the AU Peace and Security Council.
(6)
Assistance measures are to be implemented taking into account the principles and requirements set out in Decision (CFSP) 2021/509, and in accordance with the rules for the implementation of revenue and expenditure financed under the EPF.
(7)
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 United Nations Charter, with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international law, in particular international human rights and international humanitarian law,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1 Establishment, objectives, scope and duration 1.
An assistance measure taking the form of a general programme for support to the African Union (AU) to be financed under the European Peace Facility (EPF) (the ‘Assistance Measure’) is hereby established.
The Assistance Measure shall finance actions approved by the Political and Security Committee (PSC) by 31 December 2024. 2.
The overall objectives of the Assistance Measure are to reduce the incidence, duration and intensity of violent conflicts in Africa and to strengthen the role of the AU regarding peace and security on the African continent.
The specific objective of the Assistance Measure is to improve conflict management through the deployment of military components of peace support operations by the AU Commission and African regional organisations. 3.
To achieve the objectives set out in paragraph 2 of this Article, the Assistance Measure shall finance the military aspects of African-led peace support operations mandated or authorised by the AU Peace and Security Council, including, but not limited to, the following activities: (a) coverage of personnel-related costs (for an indicative 40 % of the total financial reference amount), such as per diems and allowances for military personnel, mission subsistence allowance for military officers in mission headquarters, casualty evacuation operations, death and disability compensation, rations, transport and travel costs, and training for military personnel; (b) provision and upgrade of equipment and delivery of services (for an indicative 35 % of the total financial reference amount), such as individual soldiers’ equipment, medical consumables, vehicles, fuel and vehicle maintenance, communication devices and services, IT technology and services, command and control infrastructure and services, and other equipment with the exception of equipment or platforms referred to in Article 5(3) of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509; (c) realisation of works (for an indicative 25 % of the total financial reference amount), such as the construction and rehabilitation of military barracks, training facilities and medical facilities.
4.
The duration of the Assistance Measure shall be 72 months from 1 January 2022.
Article 2 Approval of support for actions under the Assistance Measure 1.
In accordance with Article 59(7) of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509, support for any action under the Assistance Measure shall be preceded by a request from the AU Commission, as the beneficiary of the Assistance Measure (the ‘beneficiary’).