Abuja, Nigeria, April 18, 2024 – Approval of the evaluation process of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct and the maritime safety and security architecture of the Gulf of Guinea to mark the 10th anniversary of the said process was one of the key recommendations of the 4th annual meeting of the heads of institutions of the Interregional Coordination Centre (ICC) held on 18 April 2024 at the headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission in Abuja, Nigeria.
The meeting, following a gathering of experts on 16 and 17 April 2024, served as a platform for participants to assess the ICC's operations and explore possibilities for its revitalization. Participants acknowledged the challenges faced by the ICC due to inadequate financial contributions from Member States and Institutions, leading to a low level of implementation of planned activities.
In response to these challenges, the participants approved the Centre's 2024 budget, emphasizing the need for concrete activities and timely financing to inject new life into the Centre. They reaffirmed their commitment to engaging Member States for timely contributions crucial for the Centre's smooth operation. Additionally, steps were agreed upon to address the financial constraints, including the rotation of positions among the three ICC institutions – ECOWAS, ECCAS, and the Gulf of Guinea – and the recruitment of competent senior staff within stipulated timelines.
The rotating chairmanship of the Annual Meeting of Senior Officials of the ICC was conferred upon Gilberto Da Piedade Verissimo, President of the ECCAS Commission, succeeding Dr Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission. Verissimo expressed confidence in achieving set objectives, contingent upon sufficient financial and material resources.
Dr Omar Alieu Touray commended the collective efforts of ICC Member States, noting a decline in piracy and armed robbery incidents in the Gulf of Guinea. He highlighted the positive trend observed by the International Maritime Bureau, indicating a decrease in such incidents over the years, with only six attacks recorded in the first quarter of 2024.
The discussions and decisions made at the 4th annual meeting signal a renewed commitment to strengthening the ICC and addressing maritime security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea, reflecting a collaborative and proactive approach towards ensuring safety and stability in the region.
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