17/07/2025 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 16 July, Dutch Captain André (Annius) van der Kamp became head of the military command and support cell of the EU’s security and defence initiative for the West African countries in the Gulf of Guinea, according to the legal act published in the Official Journal of the EU on Thursday 17 July. He replaces Spanish Captain Francisco Javier López Fuster, who has been in office since 15 January (see EUROPE 13553/19). The initiative aims to support Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin in strengthening their security and defence capabilities to respond to security threats and combat the repercussions of insecurity emanating from the Sahel towards the coastal states of East Africa (see EUROPE 13258/13). The mandate of this initiative runs until 10 December 2025. (CG)