At the invitation of Senegal’s Ministry of Armed Forces, the 9th Symposium of Chiefs of Naval Staff and Coast Guard Commanders of the Gulf of Guinea took place in Dakar from November 18 to 20, 2025. The event was co-chaired by H.E. Ms. Damtien Tchintchibidja, Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, and Army General (2S) Birame Diop, Senegal’s Minister of Armed Forces.
During her remarks at the opening ceremony, Ms. Tchintchibidja highlighted the significance of the symposium as a key step in achieving goals outlined in the founding documents of the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Security Architecture. She referenced commitments made by Central and West African Heads of State and Government on maritime safety and security through a declaration adopted in 2013.
She noted the Gulf of Guinea’s critical role in both regional and global economies, stating that it produces nearly half of Africa’s oil—equivalent to 10% worldwide—with reserves estimated at 24 billion barrels. The region serves as an important trade route for 19 coastal countries and plays a substantial part in international commerce, handling about 10% of goods shipped globally, as well as significant portions of oil and uranium.
Ms. Tchintchibidja also addressed ECOWAS support for member states in establishing national early warning systems focused on human security. She explained that ECOWARN—the organization’s early warning system—monitors maritime security issues along with vulnerabilities such as former fishermen becoming involved in piracy or migrant smuggling. These challenges affect local communities whose weaknesses are often exploited by criminal networks.