Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2026/236 of 27 January 2026 on the appointment of the EU Mission Force Commander for the European Union military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces (EUTM Somalia) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2025/1398 (EUTM Somalia/1/2026)

Official Journal EN of the European Union L series 2026/236 28.1.2026 POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2026/236 of 27 January 2026 on the appointment of the EU Mission Force Commander for the European Union military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces (EUTM Somalia) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2025/1398 (EUTM Somalia/1/2026) THE POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 38 thereof, Having regard to Council Decision 2010/96/CFSP of 15 February 2010 on a European Union military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces,(1) and in particular Article 5(1) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) On 15 February 2010, the Council adopted Decision 2010/96/CFSP, which established a European Union military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces (EUTM Somalia).

(2) Pursuant to Article 5(1) of Decision 2010/96/CFSP, the Council authorised the Political and Security Committee

(PSC) to take decisions on the appointment of the EU Mission Force Commander for EUTM Somalia (the ‘EU Mission Force Commander’).

(3) On 9 July 2025, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2025/1398(2), appointing Brigadier General Marco MANZONE as EU Mission Force Commander as from 18 July 2025.

(4) On 27 November 2025, the Head of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability Directorate was informed by the Italian military authorities that Brigadier General Marco MANZONE’s mandate as EU Mission Force Commander had ended.

(5) On 17 December 2025, the Italian military authorities proposed the appointment of Colonel Elio MANES to succeed Brigadier General Marco MANZONE as EU Mission Force Commander (the ‘proposed appointment’). The Italian military authorities indicated that Colonel Elio MANES would be promoted to Brigadier General before his appointment as EU Mission Force Commander.

(6) On 18 December 2025, the EU Mission Commander for EUTM Somalia supported the proposed appointment.

(7) On 8 January 2026, the EU Military Committee supported the proposed appointment and agreed that Colonel Elio MANES be appointed as EU Mission Force Commander.

(8) A decision on the appointment of Colonel Elio MANES as EU Mission Force Commander should be taken.

(9) Decision (CFSP) 2025/1398 should be repealed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1 Brigadier General Elio MANES is appointed as EU Mission Force Commander for the European Union military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces (EUTM Somalia) as from 30 January 2026.

Article 2 Decision (CFSP) 2025/1398 is hereby repealed.

(1) OJ L 44, 19.2.2010, p. 16, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2010/96(1)/oj.

(2) Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2025/1398 of 9 July 2025 on the appointment of the EU Mission Force Commander of the European Union military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces (EUTM Somalia) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2024/1908 (EUTM Somalia/1/2025) (OJ L, 2025/1398, 11.7.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/ 2025/1398/oj).

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/236/oj 1/2EN OJ L, 28.1.2026 Article 3 This Decision shall enter into force on 30 January 2026.

Done at Brussels, 27 January 2026.

For the Political and Security Committee The Chairperson D. PRONK 2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/236/oj