ECOWAS naval staff meeting concludes with focus on West African maritime security

The 4th ECOWAS Sub-Committee of Chiefs of Naval Staff Meeting concluded on February 27, after three days of discussions focused on maritime security in West Africa. The event was organized by the ECOWAS Regional Security Division and took place from February 25 to 27, 2025. It gathered Chiefs of Naval Staff from ECOWAS Member States, along with representatives from the ECOWAS Commission and other stakeholders.

Participants engaged in discussions on various maritime security issues such as evaluating the Yaoundé Maritime Security Architecture, operations conducted by each Maritime Zone at sea, and sharing information and best practices.

Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, Chief of the Naval Staff of Nigeria, represented by Rear Admiral Eugenio Olusegun Ferreira, commended participants for their contributions. He emphasized that all recommendations should be considered to enhance maritime security in West Africa.

Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, PhD, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the ECOWAS Commission—represented by General Mactar Diop—praised participants' commitment. He highlighted the importance of swiftly implementing recommendations and thanked Cabo Verde and partners for their support.

Commander Armindo António da Graça, Chief of Staff of the Cabo Verde Navy, underscored coordinated operations through maritime centers and technological tools to improve security in ECOWAS maritime areas.

Key recommendations from the meeting included strengthening cooperation through information sharing and best practices. Support for ECOWAS ratification of the African Union Charter on Maritime Safety was also emphasized. Developing a local maritime domain awareness solution with regional ownership and a secure information-sharing platform was recommended. Additionally, capacity building through training was highlighted to improve skills among maritime security personnel.

The successful conclusion of this meeting underscores the region's commitment to addressing maritime security challenges and fostering cooperation among Member States.