Discussing maritime security in West Africa
ECOWAS Sub-Committee of Chiefs of Naval Staff Meeting
NIGERIA: Meeting to evaluate the maritime operations and exercises, the 4th ECOWAS Sub-Committee of Chiefs of Naval Staff Meeting took place at the end of February in Abuja, Nigeria.
Key recommendations from the ECOWAS subcommittee meeting include the need to strengthen cooperation in maritime security through the sharing of information and best practices.
Additionally, the meeting emphasised the importance of supporting ECOWAS ratification of the African Union Charter on Maritime Safety, Security, and Development in Africa.
Delegates recommended the establishment of a local maritime domain awareness solution with full regional ownership and a secure information sharing platform. Finally, the meeting highlighted the need for capacity building through training to improve the skills and expertise of maritime security personnel.
The Chief of Staff of the Cabo Verde Navy, Commander Armindo António da Graça, stressed the importance of coordinated operations through maritime centres and the use of technological tools to help improve security in ECOWAS maritime areas.
In his concluding words the Chairman of the Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, Chief of the Naval Staff of Nigeria represented by Rear Admiral Eugenio Olusegun Ferreira the Chief of Training and Operations, Naval headquarters, of the Nigeria Navy urged participants to undertake to implement the recommendations.
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