Following the operations “Safe Domain I” in November 2021, and “Safe Domain II” in September 2023, ECOWAS and its Multinational Maritime Coordination Center (CMMC) of zone E, bringing together Togo, Benin and Nigeria are organizing from August 5 to 9, 2024 the “Safe Domain III” Operation: A major maritime initiative to strengthen security on the high seas.
The main objective of this inter-State operation is to combine efforts and resources to face the challenges of maritime security. It covers key activities such as research, information exchange, maritime and aerial surveillance and the intervention of operational units if necessary.
Operation “Safe Domain III” will last 5 days. It is a patrol and security operation of the maritime space of zone “E” which involves Togo, Nigeria and Benin. It responds, among other things, to a code of conduct relating to the prevention and repression of acts of piracy, armed robbery at sea and illicit maritime activities in economic zone "E".
This ceremony brings together various political personalities and civil authorities from the various national administrations of the three countries of zone E.
During the opening ceremony, Commodore Aniedi Aniedu Iboki, Director MMCC zone E indicated that in the face of transnational challenges facing the ECOWAS maritime domain in terms of maritime security affecting the economic development and livelihoods of its local communities, the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS adopted a solid ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy (EIMS) in March 2014. He then thanked the various partners such as the European Union, UNODC, the United States, Denmark, Germany and France for their support in the security of the ECOWAS maritime domain.
Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, PhD, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the ECOWAS Commission highlighted that the current ECOWAS 4 X 4 Strategic Objectives of which Objective 1 (Strengthening Regional Peace and Security) calls for the full operationalization of the ECOWAS Maritime Security Architecture. Thus, the theme of the 2024 exercise “Protecting the ECOWAS Zone E Blue Economy through Maritime Security Collaboration” is appropriate and in line with the vision of the Community. He further added that the oceans are a great economic and environmental resource where about 90% of international trade is conducted. He ended his speech by thanking the development partners including the European Union through the GoGIN (Gulf of Guinea Inter-Regional Network) project and the YARIS platform, implemented by Expertise France, and praised their efforts in the fight against maritime insecurity.
Representing Mr. Fortunet Alain NOUATIN, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Benin, Brigadier General Abdul-Baki SANNI Bachabi, Director of the Cabinet of the Minister of National Defense welcomed all participants in the operation to Benin and congratulated the commitment and determination of all stakeholders in organizing this operation. He also thanked the CMMC of Zone E as well as all the partners involved in the success of this 3rd Maritime Patrol Operation of Zone E called “Safe Domain III’
These joint maritime patrols which end on Friday, August 9, 2024 mark the constant efforts and commitment of ECOWAS to strengthen maritime security in the Region.
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