LAW ENFORCEMENT AT SEA: TRAINING OF OFFICERS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ARMED
ROBBERY, MARITIME PIRACY AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING CASES
From 5 to 16 July 2021, the Interregional Institute of Maritime Security (ISMI) of the
Regional Academy of Marine Sciences and Technologies (ARSTM) in Abidjan is
organising the third seminar of the SWAIMS-FORMAR project, financed by the European
Union, on the topic "Law enforcement at sea: cases of armed robbery, maritime piracy
and illicit trafficking".
This seminar is intended primarily for ECOWAS States but is open to ECCAS States thanks
to the support of France, thus enabling all the States bordering the Gulf of Guinea to
participate. This technical training will be attended by thirty (30) officers (Navy,
Maritime Affairs, Customs, Police/Gendarmerie, etc.) who exercise judicial police
powers, from ECOWAS and ECCAS countries. At the end of the seminar, they will be
better equipped in terms of recording maritime piracy offences, armed robbery and
illicit trafficking, investigation and management of a crime scene.
A key activity of the seminar will be a practical boarding and rummage exercise on
Thursday 15 July on board a patrol boat of the Ivorian Navy, a key partner of the
seminar.
The SWAIMS-FORMAR programme aims to strengthen the technical capacities of
civilian and military professionals from ECOWAS States working in national and regional
maritime surveillance coordination centres. Worth 1 billion CFA francs (1.5 million euros),
this grant will finance 16 training cycles between 2021 and 2024 and is part of the EU's
support for the ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy.
The training courses cover a variety of topics ranging from the criminal regime of
offences to law enforcement at sea, including money laundering related to maritime
activities. During the 4 years of implementation, 400 key actors will be trained in the field
of maritime safety and security.
Journalists are invited to attend the opening ceremony, which will be marked by the
official handover of a bus acquired thanks to the project by the representative of the
European Union Ambassador. It will be held at the Regional Academy of Marine
Sciences and Techniques (ARSTM - Yopougon, Niangon), on Monday 05 July 2021 at
09:00v am.
About the European Union
The European Union has been present in Côte d'Ivoire since 1961. Located in Abidjan,
the European Union Delegation in Côte d'Ivoire coordinates and monitors political,
economic and trade relations and development 2
cooperation between the EU and the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire. It also has the mandate
to monitor EU policies in all sectors, to promote and defend the EU's values and
interests, and to manage its cooperation programmes. Since November 2018, the
Delegation of the European Union to Côte d'Ivoire is headed by Ambassador Jobst von
Kirchmann.
More on SWAIMS Project
https://www.raosupportcellecowas.com/post/support-to-west-africa-integrated-maritime-security-swaims-actions
Opmerkingen