L 327/62 Official Journal of the European Union 9.12.2011 DECISIONS COUNCIL DECISION 2011/819/CFSP of 8 December 2011 appointing the European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 28, Article 31(2) and Article 33 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Whereas: (1) There is a need for a regional response by the Union to the complex and inter-related challenges in the Horn of Africa region. (2)  Mr Alexander RONDOS should be appointed European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Horn of Africa for the period from 1 January to 30 June 2012. (3)  The EUSR will implement his mandate in the context of a situation which may deteriorate and could impede the achievement of the objectives of the Union’s external action as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 European Union Special Representative Mr Alexander RONDOS is hereby appointed European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Horn of Africa for the period from 1 January to 30 June 2012. The mandate of the EUSR may be extended or terminated earlier, if the Council so decides, on a proposal of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR). For the purposes of the mandate of the EUSR, the Horn of Africa is defined as comprising the Republic of Djibouti, the State of Eritrea, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Republic of Kenya, the Somali Republic, the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of the Sudan and the Republic of Uganda. For issues with broader regional implications, including piracy, the EUSR shall engage with countries and regional entities beyond the Horn of Africa, as appropriate. In view of the need for a regional approach to the inter-related challenges facing the region, the EUSR for the Horn of Africa shall work in close consultation with the EUSR for South Sudan and the Sudan who shall retain primary responsibility for those two countries. Atticle 2 Policy objectives 1. The mandate of the EUSR shall be based on the policy objectives of the European Union (EU’ or ‘Union’) in relation to the Horn of Africa to contribute actively to regional and inter- national efforts to achieve lasting peace, security and devel- opment in the region. The EUSR shall furthermore aim to enhance the quality, intensity and impact of the EU's multi- faceted engagement in the Horn of Africa. 2. Initial priority shall be given to Somalia and to the regional dimensions of the conflict, as well as to piracy which has its root causes in the instability of Somalia. 3. With regard to Somalia, the EU’s policy objectives aim, through the coordinated and effective use of all its instruments, to promote a return for Somalia and its people to a path of peace and prosperity. To that end, the EU supports the role of the United Nations (UN) in facilitating a credible and inclusive Somali-led political process and will continue to contribute actively, together with regional and international partners, to the implementation of the Djibouti Peace Agreement and its post-transition arrangements. 4. Regarding piracy, the EUSR’s role shall be to contribute to developing and implementing a coherent, effective and balanced EU approach to piracy originating in Somalia, encompassing all aspects of EU action, particularly in the political, security and development areas and to be the EU’s key interlocutor on piracy for the international community including the Eastern and Southern Africa and Indian Ocean (ESA/IO) region.