The European Union Monday announced the appointment of João Cravinho as its Special Representative (EUSR) for the Sahel region.
This appointment marks a renewed commitment by the EU to support regional and international initiatives aimed at promoting peace, security, stability and sustainable development in the Sahel countries, in particular Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger.
Mr. Cravinho’s mandate will also include interactions with the countries of the Lake Chad Basin, as well as with other countries and regional or international organisations with an influence in the region, such as those of the Maghreb, the Gulf of Guinea and their neighbours, which are affected by the dynamics of the Sahel.
This appointment is in line with recent discussions at the European Council (October 26-27, 2023) and the Foreign Affairs Councils (November 21, 2023, December 11, 2023, February 19, 2024).
It is guided by the objectives set out in the EU’s Integrated Strategy for the Sahel, which aims to adopt an approach better suited to the complex challenges facing the region.
João Cravinho, former Foreign Minister of Portugal (2022-2024), will take office on December 1, 2024, for an initial term of 21 months. He succeeds Emanuela Claudia Del Re, who has held the post since June 2021. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Cravinho held a number of senior positions, including Minister of Defense, EU Ambassador to Brazil and India, and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. A professor of international relations at the University of Coimbra, he also headed the Portuguese Institute for Cooperation.
European Union Special Representatives are appointed to defend the EU’s interests and policies in specific regions or on major issues. They play a key role in promoting peace, stability and respect for the rule of law.
The EU currently has eleven Special Representatives who assist Josep Borrell, the Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in implementing European priorities on the international stage.
MD/te/sf/lb/as/APA