By Milcah Tanimu
Government experts from ECOWAS member states convened in Lomé, Togo, from May 6 to 8, 2024, to scrutinize the draft Supplementary Act concerning cooperation in combating illicit maritime activities within the ECOWAS region.
The primary objective of the meeting was to provide a detailed overview of the draft Supplementary Act to government experts from ECOWAS member states, with the intention of elucidating its goals and soliciting feedback and technical input to enhance its implementation.
The gathering commenced with five notable keynote speeches. Mr. BABATE ATATOUM, Chief of Staff of the Togolese Navy, extended a warm welcome to the participants, emphasizing the pressing need to address current security challenges in the maritime domain. He expressed gratitude to all partners involved in facilitating the event.
Francis Omiunu, representing the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), reiterated UNODC’s commitment to combatting illicit maritime activities and acknowledged the European Union’s financial support, as well as ECOWAS’ dedicated efforts in this critical area for West African security.
Paolo Salvia, representing the European Union Delegation in Togo, underscored the significance of the meeting, emphasizing that maritime safety is a collective responsibility shared by all states.
Dr. Dieng Abdourahmane, Head of Division for Regional Security, emphasized the meeting’s importance in clarifying the objectives of the draft Supplementary Act and gathering technical feedback to ensure its effective implementation.
His Excellency Stanislas BABA, Minister Counsellor for the Sea, highlighted the detrimental impact of maritime illicit activities in ECOWAS regional waters, emphasizing the imperative need for proper shaping and implementation of the Supplementary Act.
The meeting, organized by ECOWAS in collaboration with UNODC through support from the EU-funded SWAIMS project, signifies a crucial step toward fostering enhanced cooperation in repressing illicit maritime activities in the ECOWAS region. This collaborative effort aims to bolster regional security and stability.
Discussion about this post