Concerns Over Anti-Piracy Efforts Raised at UN Security Council
While piracy in the Gulf of Guinea has been declining since 2021, concerns have been raised about staffing, equipment and finance needed to continue anti-piracy efforts in the region.There are several challenges holding back the full operationalization of the Yaoundé Architecture, said Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs - Department of Peace Operations at the United Nations, while speaking to the United Nations Security Council meeting on June 22.
UN Security Council Calls for Crackdown on Gulf of Guinea Piracy
The UN Security Council last week called for greater action to prevent piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, a region posing significant danger for commercial shipping as a hotbed for maritime kidnappings and armed robbery at sea.The council unanimously adopted Resolution 2634 (2022), which calls upon member states in the region to criminalize piracy and armed robbery at sea under their domestic laws, and to investigate, prosecute or extradite, in accordance with applicable international law…
Combating Illicit Maritime Activity
Prevention of piracy, armed robbery against ships and illicit maritime activity in west and central Africa is on the agenda at a meeting of the G7 Group of Friends of the Gulf of Guinea in Lagos, Nigeria (11-12 December). The meeting is reviewing progress made in implementing the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, which was signed by governments in the region, in 2013, to enhance cooperation to counter piracy and armed robbery at sea and other illicit maritime activity. The meeting also stresses the importance for States in the region to promote and implement a combined effort to improve maritime security within their areas of jurisdiction and responsibility. The meeting is also looking at gaps in capacity-building and assessing needs in equipment.
Gulf of Guinea Piracy a ‘Deep Concern’ -UN Security Council
The United Nations Security Council on Monday expressed its deep concern over piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea, and stressed the importance of a comprehensive approach — led by States of the region, with international support — to address the problem and its root causes. Issuing presidential statement S/PRST/2016/4, the Council strongly condemned acts of murder, kidnapping, hostage-taking and robbery by pirates in the Gulf, and underlined the importance of determining any links between piracy and armed robbery at sea, and terrorist groups in West Africa and the Sahel subregions. It encouraged regional organizations — including the African Union…
Professionals Gather for APS Annual Conference
Maritime professionals from Africa, Europe, and the U.S. began a 4-day conference aimed to enhance collaborative efforts to achieve maritime security in Africa, May 5. The Africa Partnership Station (APS) Annual Planning Conference aims to identify capabilities necessary to achieve regional maritime security goals and in turn schedule APS training opportunities. Capt. John Ries, Africa Engagement Director, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet commented, "“APS has transitioned from the idea of a single vessel to an international partnership owned by all of us. This program has progressed every year as the number of partners grows. The conference provides a forum for discussion to achieve dialogue on maritime issues that affect all African nations.
Obangame Express 2015 Concludes in the Gulf of Guinea
Maritime forces from Gulf of Guinea nations, Europe, South America, and the United States and several regional and international organizations concluded the multinational maritime exercise, Obangame Express 2015, March 27. Obangame Express, sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), was designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information-sharing practices and tactical interdiction expertise to enhance the collective capabilities of Gulf of Guinea nations to counter sea-based illicit activity. Exercise Obangame Express, now in its fifth year, is one of four U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa-facilitated regional exercises. The exercise is part of a comprehensive strategy by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S.
Ghana Navy Boosts Focus on Gulf of Guinea
Ghana's Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral GW Biekro, is convening a conference of senior international Admirals and naval experts to find solutions to further providing security in the Gulf of Guinea. Attending, the Coastal and Maritime Surveillance Africa (CAMSA) summit March 17-20 in Accra, will include Ghana's Vice President, Minister of Defense and Chiefs of all military services. Admirals from the EU, South Africa and other ECOWAS countries will also descend on Accra to discuss the threat of increased insecurity in Africa's fastest growing region.
UN Security Council Addresses Piracy in Gulf of Guinea
The United Nations Security Council called for a comprehensive regional approach to combat the threat of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea, and reiterated its call on Member States to prosecute perpetrators in accordance with international laws. “The Security Council expresses its deep concern at the reported number of incidents and level of violence of acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea, in the first half of 2013,” the 15-member body said in a presidential statement.
Guinea President Seeks Greater Counter-piracy Cooperation
Equatorial Guinea 's President, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, called on the Gulf of Guinea heads of state to maintain stronger vigilance and create a maritime security body in order to overcome security and stability issues affecting the zone. President Obiang , who was named President of the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC), also expressed his desire to integrate more states bordering the gulf as members of the organization. The GGC was founded in 1999 with member states Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Cameroon, DR Congo, Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe and Gabon. During his speech, President Obiang called for closer relations with international organizations such as the United Nations…
Togo to Aid Nigerian Navy’s Fight against Piracy
The Ambassador of Republic of Togo to Nigeria, Colonel Addo Maman Tchalare has pledged the commitment of his country to assist Nigeria’s crackdown on insurgents. The Ambassador made the assertion while on a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja recently. Col. Tchalare said over the years, his country and Nigeria have strengthened their diplomatic ties which enabled them contribute immensely to sub-regional, regional and global security as founding members of ECOWAS. The Ambassador reiterated that his country will do everything to assist a brotherly nation like Nigeria to overcome her current security challenges, stating that without the atmosphere of peace and stability, the region cannot attract investors.
IMO Pledge to Support African Piracy Code
The organisation will help implement the West and Central Africa piracy code adopted at a recent ministerial meeting. IMO has pledged its support to assist in the implementation of a new Code of Conduct concerning the prevention and repression of piracy, armed robbery against ships and illicit maritime activity in west and central Africa, which has been adopted at a Ministerial meeting in Cotonou, Benin. The Code is expected to be opened for signature at the meeting of the Heads of State and Government of Central and West African States, expected to be held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in May 2013.
