05/12/2025 (Agence Europe) – The European Union has decided to extend Peter Kolding’s mandate as Head of the European Union’s CSDP Mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali) from 1 February 2026 to 10 April 2026, according to the legal act published on Friday 5 December. He has been in office since April 2023. The mandate of Kęstutis Lančinskas as Head of the EU Capacity Building Mission in Somalia, EUCAP Somalia, is extended from 1 January 2026 to 30 April 2026 (see EUROPE 13743/10). His term of office began in May 2024. In addition, for the EU Security and Defence Initiative for West African countries in the Gulf of Guinea, for the 11 December-31 December period, the financial reference amount intended to cover expenditure relating to the civilian pillar is €9.676 million and €10.589 million for the military pillar. (CG)