Spanish Vice Admiral Eugenio Diaz Del Rio succeeds Major General Antonio Plannels Palay, also from Spain, as commander of the EU Operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta off the coast of Somalia on February 19, 2021. The decision was made on Tuesday (January 26, 2021) in the EU Political and Security Committee.
EUNAVFOR Atalanta is part of the EU's comprehensive approach for a peaceful, stable and democratic Somalia. The EU's approach to Somalia includes diplomatic efforts, development assistance, humanitarian assistance and engagement in the area of the rule of law and law enforcement. It includes three complementary missions under the EU's Common Security and Defense Policy: EU-NAVFOR Operation Atalanta, EUCAP Somalia, Strengthening Civilian Law Enforcement Capacity in Somalia and EUTM Somalia. The latter provides military advice on a political and strategic level to the Somali authorities and their contribution to the development of the Somali National Army (SNA)'s own training capacity. Operation Atalanta also protects World Food Program ships carrying relief supplies to Somalia.
Although pirates have not been recorded since April 2019, the operation remains important. The operational area, which is the size of Western Europe, is used for many illegal activities that are interconnected and interacting. They serve as a source of funding for illegal organizations or terrorist groups. The European Council took this into account. Firstly, the mandate of Operation Atalanta has been extended until December 31, 2022. On the other hand, it was expanded to include the fight against weapons and drug smuggling. Speaking before the European Parliament a few days ago, the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell said that the EU was considering using the “Coordinated Maritime Presence Mechanism” in this region as well. A pilot project of this concept is now to be started in the Gulf of Guinea (ESUT reported).
Spain is currently sending a frigate (“Reina Sofía” (F-84)), a reconnaissance aircraft, a Scan Eagle drone and a helicopter to the Horn of Africa. Montenegro is currently another troop contributor with a 12-person on-board operations team that will be used to protect ships belonging to the World Food Program.
The new commander, Eugenio Diaz del Rio, was born in Vigo in 1961. After serving in the Spanish Navy and the General Staff, the father of five led NATO's Standing Maritime Task Force 2 (SNMG 2) in June and July 2013, which was part of the anti-terror operation “Active Endeavour” and anti-piracy NATO's Operation Ocean Shield was deployed. He then became Office Chief of the Inspector of the Spanish Navy, Head of Planning and Policy Department at the Naval Command and from summer 2016 to Summer as Chief of Staff at NATO's Allied Naval Command (MARCOM) in Northwood, Great Britain. He then worked as head of planning and politics in the Spanish naval command before moving to his previous position as commander of the 'Rapid Maritime Operations Forces' (Comandante del Cuartel General Maritimo de Alta disponibilidad).
The appointment of Vice Admiral Eugenio Diaz Del Rio coincides with the appointment of the current Inspector of the Navy as Inspector General (Chief of General Staff) of the Spanish Armed Forces, announced on January 26, 2021. Admiral General Teodoro López Calderón will be inaugurated into his new position on January 28th.
Hans Uwe Mergener
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