The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) successfully concluded its third maritime security exercise, Operation Safe Domain, from August 5 to 9. The operation aimed to bolster regional maritime safety and address the persistent challenges of piracy and other illicit activities in the Gulf of Guinea.
Under the guidance of the ECOWAS Multinational Maritime Co-Ordination Centre (MMCC) for Zone E, the five-day exercise involved a range of activities, including research, information exchange, maritime and aerial surveillance, and operational interventions. The operation was a collaborative effort among several ECOWAS member states, with the support of international partners.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, emphasized the importance of fully operationalizing the regional bloc’s maritime security architecture. He highlighted the strategic significance of the world’s oceans, which account for 90% of international trade and are vital economic and environmental resources.
The European Union (EU), through the GoGIN (Gulf of Guinea Inter-Regional Network) project, and other international partners, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Denmark, Germany, and the United States (US), provided valuable contributions to the operation.
Nigerian Commodore Aniedi Ibok, Director of the MMCC Zone E, underscored the challenges posed by piracy, sea robbery, and various forms of trafficking in the region. He emphasized the importance of the ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy (EIMS), adopted in 2014, which established a comprehensive framework for maritime security.
Ibok highlighted the significant reduction in maritime crime incidents, attributing this success to coordinated efforts by ECOWAS, member states, and international partners. During Operation Safe Domain III, a coordinated deployment of naval assets conducted extensive patrols and drills to address threats such as sea robbery, piracy, illegal fishing, and trafficking.
The success of Operation Safe Domain III has paved the way for future initiatives. ECOWAS has announced plans for Operation Safe Domain IV, scheduled to take place in March 2025. The continued collaboration among member states is crucial to ensuring the safety and security of the region’s maritime domain and promoting sustainable economic development.
