Forming a framework to fight illegal maritime activities

Strengthening maritime governance and security

TOGO: Experts met at the end of April to discuss a draft framework aimed at harmonising action to combat illicit maritime activities within West Africa.

The meeting of experts from the Ministries of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which opened on Tuesday 28 April 2026 in Lomé, Togo, examined a draft act on cooperation in the fight against illicit maritime activities within ECOWAS.

The aim of the draft is to provide the ECOWAS region with a harmonised framework to combat illicit maritime activities more effectively. This draft is also designed not only as a means of strengthening regional judicial cooperation in the fight against maritime crime, but also as a key lever to help overcome the challenges posed by the shortage of law enforcement capacity and resources in West Africa.

Illegal maritime activities continue to have far-reaching economic, security, environmental and social consequences on a global scale, and West Africa is not spared from this situation. Although maritime piracy has declined in the West African region, it continues to face various forms of threats to maritime security, notably armed robbery at sea and illicit drug trafficking.

“It includes provisions on mutual legal assistance, the extradition of persons under prosecution or convicted, the exchange of information and evidence, as well as the coordination of prosecutions between national jurisdictions.”

The Togolese Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Pacôme Adjourouvi, praised the draft organic law as an effective instrument capable of providing the regional community with a modern, coherent and operational legal framework, designed to strengthen mechanisms for judicial cooperation in criminal matters.

“The adoption of this instrument will mark a decisive step in the process of regional legal integration, contributing to the emergence of a judicial area based on mutual trust, solidarity between states and respect for international commitments. In particular, it includes provisions on mutual legal assistance, the extradition of persons under prosecution or convicted, the exchange of information and evidence, as well as the coordination of prosecutions between national jurisdictions,” he stated.

In his view, this two-day meeting, organised by the ECOWAS Commission in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), forms part of the ongoing drive to deepen regional integration and consolidate the rule of law, which are essential pillars of the Community’s action.

He called on ECOWAS member states to consolidate the legal foundations for enhanced regional cooperation, capable of ensuring maritime security, protecting natural resources and promoting the economic development of West Africa.

The ECOWAS Resident Representative in Togo, Deweh Emily Gray, representing the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the ECOWAS Commission, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, urged participants to review and enhance the draft additional act and to ensure its compliance with relevant regional and international protocols.

She thanked ECOWAS member states for their commitment to combating illicit maritime activities at the regional level, as well as the European Union for its partnership with the West African organisation on maritime security.

She also expressed her gratitude to UNODC, not only for its support under the EU-funded ‘Safe Seas for Africa’ project, but also for its technical assistance throughout the various stages leading to the drafting of this draft additional act.

Speaking on behalf of UNODC, the Deputy Programme Manager of the Global Programme against Maritime Crime, Francis Izegaegbe Omiunu, noted that this meeting marked another important milestone in the ongoing engagement and partnership with ECOWAS, as innovative solutions were sought to combat maritime insecurity.

He expressed optimism that the draft, if adopted by Member States, would provide a range of enforcement measures to further strengthen cooperation in combating illicit maritime activities within the ECOWAS maritime domain.

The draft additional act was submitted to the ECOWAS Ministers of Justice, for approval.