“Operation Safe Domain II” has been initiated by Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, and Niger Republic to combat piracy and marine crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.
Commodore Aniedi Ibok, Director of the Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre Zone E, spoke at the program’s opening and outlined how the program aims to improve maritime security through regional cooperation for development. According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event would take place at Cotonou Port Naval Base from September 11 to September 15.
The Gulf of Guinea was split into two regions in 2013 by the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, with one in the west overseen by the Regional Centre for Maritime Security in West Africa and the other in the east by the Regional Centre for Maritime Security in Central Africa.
In 2014, the maritime zones E, F, and G were formed by the ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy. Zone E, established earlier as a pilot experiment, led to the construction of subsequent zones.
According to Ibok, the goal of the Joint Maritime Operations and Patrols is to maintain continuous, coordinated, and joint control over Zone E for maritime safety and security. He went on to say that the operation is supported by ECOWAS and Member States of Zone E because of the prevalence of illegal maritime activity in the Gulf of Guinea and West African waterways.
“These security issues jeopardize the zone’s economic growth while putting local coastal communities’ and sailors’ overall way of life under peril.
Therefore, he continued, “the operation will aid in defeating the adversary in whatever form they may appear.”
Ibok claims that the goals of the patrols and joint operations are to review the SOPs, make the maritime resources interoperable, and pool the resources of the state’s parties.
In order to safeguard the marine area of “Maritime Zone E,” he stated, “the objectives will also operationalise the right of hot pursuit as defined by the rules of engagement, multilateral and bilateral memoranda.”
The proposed plan, according to the director, will include information gathering and sharing, marine and aerial monitoring, as well as possible operational unit action.
Through operational patrols and a constant force presence at sea, this approach will improve safety and security in Zone E’s maritime domain.
Through the development of capacity in maritime law enforcement operations, intelligence sharing, and technical support, among other things, it will also increase cooperation between the navies of Zone E countries and other maritime players.
He declared, “This will undoubtedly lay the groundwork for additional joint and combined operations.”
Ibok recalled that during the implementation of “Op SAFE DOMAIN I” in November 2021, the Zone E navies provided comparable resources.
The improvement in obtaining and exchanging daily and weekly intelligence reports among member nations, marine stakeholders, and partners in the zone is among the benefits noted from the operation.
“The effective capture and prosecution of pirates on the Chinese fishing trawler FV HAILUFENG 11 and other vessels of significance, including STI SOHO.
He added, “The operation also resulted in thwarting the attacks and releasing TOMMI RITSCHER and MAXIMUS with their crew.”
Ibok noted Operation SAFE DOMAIN II’s goal of limiting the activities of pirates and marine criminals through normal maritime law enforcement operations. Three ships and a helicopter will be used in the operation, which will cover a 105,746 square nautical mile region of water.
“I am confident that member states, zones, and regional organizations will continue to support all initiatives to combat maritime crime while maintaining collaborative operations for the sub-region’s improvement.
For the benefit of everyone’s prosperity, he said, “maintaining the joint operation and patrols will enhance security of lives and property in the Gulf of Guinea, particularly in Zone E’s waters.”
Brig.-Gen. Fructueux Gbaguidi, the chief of the armed forces of Benin, appealed to the neighboring nations for assistance after claiming that the nation had been plagued by piracy.
“For this reason, the four nations have united to create a powerful force against piracy and marine crimes.
“Op Safe Domain I” was established in 2021 thanks to the cooperation of these nations, and “Op Safe Domain II” was launched in 2023 as a result of the operation’s success, according to Gbaguidi.
He expressed his gratitude to the governments of the four nations for cooperating to make the operation a success.
The Brigadier General stated, “This has allowed us to realize the goals of securing our waterways and checkmating the operations of pirates and sea crime in our maritime domain.
Captain Jean Le’on Olatoundji, the Chief of Naval Staff of the Benin Republic, emphasized the significance of international cooperation in the battle against piracy. According to him, “Op Safe Domain II” demonstrates the member nations’ combined resolve to fight the problem of piracy in the maritime domain.
The CNS declared, “I am very confident in the crews’ abilities to successfully complete this noble mission.”
“The issue of sea blindness is gradually being eradicated from our minds,” Commodore Richard Shammah, Director of the Regional Maritime Security Coordination Centre for West Africa, said.
“Countries are increasingly more conscious of the sea’s significant economic contribution to their varied economies.
So, in order for us to enjoy economic development at sea, the maritime domain must be safe and secure.
“This operation is essential for maintaining a sea line of communication and trade, and since no one nation can carry it out independently, cooperation is required.
The success of the collaboration’s goals and objectives is something I pray for since it will help our navies’ potential to grow, he said.
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