An assistance measure benefiting Senegal (the ‘beneficiary’) to be financed under the European Peace Facility (EPF) (the ‘assistance measure’) is hereby established.
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1028 of 5 May 2026 on an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility to support the Armed Forces of Senegal in the framework of the Yaoundé Architecture
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1028 of 5 May 2026 on an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility to support the Armed Forces of Senegal in the framework of the Yaoundé Architecture
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 West African maritime domain continues to face a challenging environment in which piracy, armed robbery at sea, kidnapping of seafarers, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, smuggling and trafficking of drugs and arms, as well as transnational organised crime pose a major and increasing threat to maritime security, affecting freedom of navigation, thus endangering major trade routes, jeopardising the sustainable development of the entire region and the economic livelihood of the population, and leading to the deterioration of the environment and biodiversity.
(3) Senegal remains particularly exposed to various threats, including maritime piracy, terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime and IUU fishing due to its vast Exclusive Economic Zone and geostrategic location. As the westernmost gateway to Africa, the maritime routes along Senegal’s coast connect the Mediterranean Sea and the Suez Canal to West Africa and the Americas. Strengthening the Armed Forces of Senegal is an important aspect of enabling and supporting maritime security efforts in Senegal and within the Atlantic and Gulf of Guinea regions.
(4) On 13 March 2026, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy received a request from Senegal for the Union to assist the National Navy of Senegal with the procurement of key operational equipment and furniture to strengthen the cooperation on security and defence between Senegal and the Union and to contribute to enhancing the overall security and defence capacities of the Armed Forces of Senegal to protect the sovereignty of Senegal at sea and improve regional maritime security.
(5) 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(2), and in line with the rules for the implementation of revenue and expenditure financed under the EPF.
(6) 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.
2.
The objectives of the assistance measure are the following:
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to strengthen the cooperation on security and defence between the Union and Senegal;
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to contribute to enhancing the overall security and defence capacities of the Armed Forces of Senegal to protect the sovereignty of Senegal at sea and improve regional maritime security, and thereby better protect maritime vessels and resources, coastal populations and their livelihoods;
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to strengthen Senegal’s capabilities with respect to its participation in the Union’s common security and defence policy military operations, and Senegal’s contribution to joint actions in the framework of the Yaoundé Architecture.
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:
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operational equipment including intervention assets, surveillance systems, communication and protective individual equipment for the National Navy of Senegal;
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educational equipment for the National Naval Academy of Senegal in Dakar;
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mobility equipment for the National Navy of Senegal.
The assistance measure shall also finance related supplies and services, including technical training, where needed.
4.
The duration of the assistance measure shall be 36 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 15 000 000.
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:
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compliance of the units of the Armed Forces of Senegal supported under the assistance measure with relevant international law, in particular international human rights law and international humanitarian law;
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proper and efficient use of any assets provided under the assistance measure for the purposes for which they were provided;
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sufficient maintenance of any assets provided under the assistance measure to ensure their usability and operational availability over their life cycle;
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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 Fundación para la Internacionalización de las Administraciones Públicas.