Brussels, 5 November 2024
The Council today adopted a €5 million assistance measure under the European Peace Facility, to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Congolese Navy.
This assistance will enable the Congolese Navy to step up its patrols in the waters of the Gulf of Guinea, including in collaboration with the vessels of partner countries conducting maritime security operations in the area, within the framework of the Yaoundé Architecture.
As part of this new €5 million package, the EU will provide naval maintenance training and related support (workshops, consumables) to restore the operational capabilities of Congolese patrol boats. The EU will also replace or supplement equipment used at sea for surveillance, communication and operational purposes.
This package will be coherent with EU member states’ navies’ deployments in the Gulf of Guinea as part of the Coordinated Maritime Presences to increase maritime situation awareness and support the prevention of illegal activities at sea.
Today’s decision complements two other assistance measures worth €21 million and €5 million adopted on 27 November 2023 and 13 June 2024 respectively, with the aim of enhancing the capabilities of the navies of Ghana, Cameroon and Benin, in support of their commitment to the Yaoundé Architecture and maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Background
The European Peace Facility was established in March 2021 to finance EU external actions with military or defence implications, with the aim of preventing conflict, preserving peace and strengthening international security and stability. In particular, the EPF allows the EU to finance actions designed to strengthen the capacities of third states and regional and international organizations as regards military and defence matters.
- European Peace Facility (background information)
- EU cooperation on security and defence (background information)