Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell on behalf of the European Commission
2.6.2021
In April and May 2021, the Council approved the EU’s strategies on the Sahel[1] and on the Horn of Africa[2]. A rrangements for their operationalisation, monitoring and evaluation will soon be proposed.
The EU addresses the multiplicity of crises in the Horn and the Sahel through an integrated approach encompassing development and humanitarian aid, military and political efforts.
In the Horn, an overall EUR 7.3 billion in development assistance since 2014 has been mobilised, amongst which EUR 3.7 billion to Somalia. The EU also deployed three Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations, namely EU Training Mission (EUTM) Somalia, EU Capacity Building Mission (EUCAP) Somalia and Operation ATALANTA to i.a. train Somali forces, build the capacities of maritime police and fight piracy in the Gulf of Aden, Southern Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean.
In addition to EUR 4.7 billion of development aid and EUR 1.16 billion humanitarian assistance since 2014 to the Sahel, the EU dedicates EUR 280 million to the G5 Sahel Joint Force from its creation in 2017 onwards. The EU also deployed three non-executive CSDP missions to train defence and security forces in the Sahel. Member States also contribute bilaterally, including by sending troops to EUTM Mali, MINUSMA[3] or Takuba.
In the case of a French military withdrawal, the Commission would keep encouraging participation to the Task Force Takuba, which reached its full operational capability in April 2021, and maintain its support to the G5 Sahel Joint Force as well as its collaboration with MINUSMA.