The Gulf of Guinea played host to the “Grand African Nemo 2023” (GANo23) exercise from October 10 to 15. It aimed at addressing the challenges of maritime safety in the region.
Like other continents, Africa is bearing the brunt of threats to maritime safety. The sixth GANo23 exercise got underway on October 10 off the coast of Nigeria. A total of 27 nations took part in the exercise. Eighteen states bordering the Gulf of Guinea, from Senegal to Angola, and ten allied states, including France, Spain and Brazil. Illegal fishing and trafficking, piracy, maritime pollution and rescue at sea. The exercise is designed to tool up countries in the region and give them the keys to better respond to maritime issues in the area.
“It’s an initiative that brings together nations from across the region and beyond, to work together, share knowledge and skills, and strengthen maritime safety and security in this strategic zone,” asserts Captain Maxime Fernand Ahoyo, Maritime Prefect of the Republic of Benin.
Grand African Nemo, Time for cooperation!
For this 6th edition of GANo23, at least 35 units, 42 vessels and 7 aircraft were mobilized to take part in the various exercises, designed to meet the region’s maritime security challenges.The presence of a large number of partners to tackle these issues, all equally committed, is due to the seriousness of these issues. Among them, the European Union, through its “GoGIN” and “SEACOP” programs.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) and the Regional Fisheries Commission for the Gulf of Guinea (COREP) are also supporting GANo23. In addition, for the first time, the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) is taking part in the exercise.
“Faced with these challenges, an effective response can only come from close and coordinated cooperation between all States” said Colonel Abdoul-Baki Sanni Bachabi, Director of Cabinet for Benin’s Minister of National Defense.
The adoption of the Yaoundé Protocol in 2013 is at the origin of this exercise. At the time, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Central African States (ECCAS) and the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC) had laid the foundations for a common regional maritime security strategy.
Alongside its African partners, France has played a key role in setting up this protocol and, therefor, has made a major contribution to improving maritime safety in the Gulf of Guinea GANo23 reflects the shared commitment of countries to work together to protect the oceans and guarantee a safe and secure maritime environment. An end-of-year symposium will be held on October 18 and 19 in Lomé, with the participation of various Chiefs of the Defence Staff (CDS), regional authorities and partners.
