Brussels – The Council has announced the appointment of new Heads of Mission (HoM) for two of the European Union’s (EU) civilian missions, namely the EU Capacity Building Mission in Niger (EUCAP Sahel Niger) and the EU Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine).
Katja Dominik, a German citizen, has been appointed as the Head of Mission for EUCAP Sahel Niger until 30 September 2024. She currently serves as the Deputy Head of Mission and Chief of Staff of the EU Police and Rule of Law Mission for the occupied Palestinian Territory (EUPOL COPPS). Her appointment is effective immediately.
Ms. Katja Dominik, who holds a Ph.D., obtained her law degree from the University of Göttingen, Germany. After graduating in 1996, she began her career as a Research Assistant at the same university. In 2000, she received a postgraduate scholarship, which allowed her to complete her studies in Croatia and Switzerland. Her dissertation on the state collapse of the former Yugoslavia was published in 2001. Subsequently, from 2000 to 2002, Ms. Dominik worked as a law clerk in major judicial institutions in Düsseldorf, Germany. In 2002, she joined the European Union Division of the Federal German Ministry of Development and Economic Co-operation in Bonn.
In the case of EUAM Ukraine, Rolf M. Hay Pereira Holmboe has been appointed as the Head of Mission, serving from 1 June 2023 to 31 May 2024. Currently, Rolf Holmboe serves as Denmark’s ambassador to Mali, with previous postings in Pakistan, Lebanon, and Syria.
Rolf Holmboe has an impressive background in diplomatic service. He has been the Ambassador of Denmark to Mali since 2020 and served as the ambassador in Pakistan from 2017 to 2020. Between 2015 and 2017, he worked as a research fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute in Ottawa. From 2012 to 2015, Mr. Holmboe held the position of ambassador of Denmark to Lebanon and Syria. Moreover, he served as the Director of Strategy and Policy Planning at the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2010 to 2012. As the Head of Stabilisation from 2009 to 2010, he gained extensive experience in political, stabilisation, and development interventions in fragile states, including the comprehensive engagement in Afghanistan. He also served as Denmark’s Representative to the Palestinian Authority from 2005 to 2009. Mr. Holmboe has a rich military background as an army reserve officer, having participated in various missions in conflict zones. He has served as a commander of a reserve specialist corps and provided mission area expertise to Danish military missions abroad. Additionally, he has taught conflict studies in fragile states as an external lecturer at the Institute of Political Science, Copenhagen University. Mr. Holmboe holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science and a Supplementary Degree in Arabic Studies from Aarhus University.
The decision to appoint Ms. Dominik and Mr. Holmboe as Heads of Mission was made by the Political and Security Committee. These appointments reflect the EU’s commitment to strengthening its civilian missions in Niger and Ukraine, underlining the importance of effective leadership and cooperation in these challenging regions.
 for two of the European Union's (EU) civilian missions, namely the EU Capacity Building Mission in Niger (EUCAP Sahel Niger) and the EU Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine).){kind=link}