Continental Maritime Summit in Cape Town
Fifteen African countries, including host South Africa, committed to a Declaration of Intent during the Sea Power for Africa Symposium (SPAS) held last week in Cape Town. This 24th edition of SPAS, themed “Good Order at Sea in the African Maritime Domain,” focused on enhancing regional maritime security through strategic discussions on various critical topics.
Key Themes and Discussions
The symposium delved into four primary themes:
- Maritime Security: Addressing seapower and maritime threats.
- Blue Justice: Extending the rule of law and human rights.
- Blue Economy: Defending and policing maritime economic interests.
- Oceans Health: Building policing and coast guard capacities.
The symposium, described by the South African Navy (SAN) Public Relations as the fifth of its kind, concluded with nine “key outcomes” and a call to action by SA Navy Chief, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese.
Strengthening Regional Collaboration
Topping the list of key outcomes is the strengthened regional collaboration. This involves breaking down barriers to inter-naval cooperation, sharing maritime domain awareness information, and conducting regular joint maritime exercises. Another critical outcome is accelerating the implementation of the African Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS) 2050 through joint maritime patrols and reinforcing information sharing between maritime domain awareness centres (MDACs). Additionally, the conceptualization of the Combined Exclusive Maritime Zone of Africa (CEMZA) was initiated.
Vice Admiral Lobese emphasized the importance of unity, encapsulated in the concept of Sisonke (‘together’ in isiXhosa). This collective resolve among African naval forces aims to enhance collaboration in addressing maritime security challenges.
Implementation and Future Plans
The symposium highlighted the need for regional governance through an African Union (AU) maritime sub-committee to implement key maritime security initiatives. A separate team will be established to formulate the implementation of AIMS 2050, which will be presented to Chiefs and Heads of African Navies. Other outcomes include support for the Lomé Charter on Maritime Security and Safety and Development, prioritizing engagement between African navies and defense industries in naval acquisitions, and scheduling future symposia every two years, with Nigeria set to host the 2026 iteration.
Call to Action
In his closing remarks, Vice Admiral Lobese urged delegates to return home and implement the plans discussed, emphasizing the urgency of taking immediate action to address marine security concerns. “We must take immediate action and keep trying different approaches until we see a significant improvement in addressing our marine security concerns. We cannot fail our people in this task,” he stated.
Looking ahead to Sea Power for Africa 2026
The Sea Power for Africa Symposium concluded with a strong call for enhanced regional cooperation and strategic initiatives to improve maritime security across the continent. The next Sea Power for Africa Symposium will be held in Nigeria in May 2026, continuing the mission of fostering unity and collaboration among African naval forces.