Council Decision (EU) 2017/971 of 8 June 2017 determining the planning and conduct arrangements for EU non-executive military CSDP missions and amending Decisions 2010/96/CFSP on a European Union military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces, 2013/34/CFSP on a European Union military mission to contribute to the training of the Malian armed forces (EUTM Mali) and (CFSP) 2016/610 on a European Union CSDP military training mission in the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA)

1 The responsibility for the operational planning and conduct of EU non-executive military missions at the military strategic level shall be assigned to the Director of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC).

2 At the operational level in theatre, non-executive military missions shall, when established, be led by an EU Mission Force Commander, who shall act under the command of the Director of the MPCC in exercising the functions of missions' commander.

3 The Director of the MPCC, in exercising the functions of missions' commander for non-executive military missions, shall act under the political control and strategic direction of the Political and Security Committee, in accordance with Article 38 of the Treaty.

1 In line with agreed EU principles for command and control, and in accordance with the revised Terms of Reference of the EUMS, the MPCC shall support the Director of the MPCC in exercising his or her functions as missions' commander, as the static, out-of-area command and control structure at the military strategic level which is responsible for the operational planning and conduct of non-executive military missions, including the building up, launching, sustaining and recovery of Union forces.

2 In theatre, when a mission is established, a Mission Force Headquarters shall assist the EU Mission Force Commander.

The Director of the MPCC, in assuming the functions of missions' commander, shall exercise the responsibilities of the operation commander under Decision (CFSP) 2015/528.

‘1 The Director of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) shall be EUTM Somalia mission commander.

2 Brigadier General Maurizio Morena is hereby appointed EU Mission Force Commander of EUTM Somalia.’.

‘1 The MPCC shall be the static command and control structure at the military strategic level outside the area of operations, which is responsible for the operational planning and conduct of EUTM Somalia.

2 The Mission Force Headquarters of EUTM Somalia shall be located in Mogadishu and shall operate under the command of the EU Mission Force Commander. It shall include a liaison office in Nairobi.

3 A support cell in Brussels of the Mission Force Headquarters shall be included in the MPCC until the MPCC has reached full operational capacity.’.

‘2 Without prejudice to the chain of command, the EU Mission Force Commander shall receive local political guidance from the EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa coordinated with relevant Union delegations in the region.’.

‘1 The Director of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) shall be EUTM Mali mission commander.

2 Brigadier General Peter Devogelaere is hereby appointed EU Mission Force Commander of EUTM Mali.’.

‘1 The MPCC shall be the static command and control structure at the military strategic level outside the area of operations, which is responsible for the operational planning and conduct of EUTM Mali.

2 The Mission Force Headquarters of EUTM Mali shall be located in Mali and shall operate under the command of the EU Mission Force Commander.

3 A support cell in Brussels of the Mission Force Headquarters shall be included in the MPCC until the MPCC has reached full operational capacity.’.

‘2 Without prejudice to the chain of command, the EU Mission Force Commander shall receive local political guidance from the European Union Special Representative for the Sahel coordinated with the Head of the Union Delegation in Bamako.’.

‘1 The Director of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) shall be EUTM RCA mission commander.

2 Brigadier General Herman Ruys is hereby appointed EU Mission Force Commander of EUTM RCA.’.

‘1 The MPCC shall be the static command and control structure at the military strategic level outside the area of operations, which is responsible for the operational planning and conduct of EUTM RCA.

2 The Mission Force Headquarters of EUTM RCA shall be located in Bangui and shall operate under the command of the Mission Force Commander.

3 A support cell in Brussels of the Mission Force Headquarters shall be included in the MPCC until the MPCC has reached full operational capacity.’.

‘2 Without prejudice to the chain of command, the EU Mission Force Commander shall receive local political guidance from the Head of the Union Delegation to the Central African Republic.’.

Political and Security Committee Decisions (CFSP) 2016/396 , (CFSP) 2016/2352 and (CFSP) 2017/112 are hereby repealed.

The Council shall review, on the basis of a report by the HR, the establishment of the MPCC and of the Joint Support Coordination Cell one year after they become fully operational, and in any event by the end of 2018.

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.