Vice Admiral Ogalla who was represented by Rear Admiral Mustapha Bala Hassan, highlighted the operation’s goal of enhancing maritime safety and security across the Gulf of Guinea.

The opening ceremony of Operation Safe Domain III which was held at the Port of Cotonou, marked the commencement of the third iteration of the combined maritime security operation within the Multinational Maritime Coordination Zone E which comprise Benin Republic, Nigeria, Togo, and Niger

Emphasizing the significance of Operation Safe Domain in addressing the maritime security challenges that once plagued the Gulf of Guinea, Ogalla recalled the previous operations, Safe Domain I and II, conducted in November 2021 and September 2023 and acknowledged the progress made in combating piracy, sea robbery, and other maritime crimes in the region.

“The Gulf of Guinea no longer bears the tag of one of the most dangerous waters in the world”, he said.

Rear Admiral Hassan added, “While we may not be where we want to be yet in terms of maritime safety and security, we have moved past the darkest days when maritime criminals operated in the Gulf of Guinea with impunity.”

He attributed the success of these operations to the coordinated efforts of the ECOWAS, maritime security stakeholders, and international partners.

He noted the transition from international sponsorship to Zone E member states taking full ownership of the initiative, demonstrating a strong commitment to ensuring maritime safety and security.

The CNS also acknowledged the support of the Zone E member states’ heads of government and his colleague heads of Service and expressed gratitude to international partners for their continued support in realizing the objectives of the Yaoundé Accord and Protocol for Maritime Security.

The third iteration of Operation Safe Domain aims to build on the lessons learned from previous operations, enhancing information sharing and collaboration among the participants.

Furthermore, Vice Admiral Ogalla encouraged participants to leverage their experiences and expertise for a more seamless and effective operation.

In his opening address, Commodore Aniedi Aniedi Ibok, Director of the Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC) Zone E emphasized the significance of their presence as a testament to their collective resolve to achieve a secure maritime environment in West Africa.

Commodore Ibok noted that the ECOWAS Maritime Domain has faced numerous transnational maritime security challenges, including piracy, sea robbery, and various forms of trafficking, which have undermined economic development and affected local communities.

He highlighted the adoption of the ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy (EIMS) in 2014, which established a comprehensive maritime security architecture in the region, including the MMCCs in Cotonou, Accra, and Praia.

“The mission of the Centre is to strengthen activities aimed at cooperation, coordination, pooling, and interoperability of resources among Zone E Member States,” stated Commodore Ibok.

He mentioned the significant reduction in maritime crime incidents, from 49 reported piracy cases in 2018 to just 2 in 2023, attributing this success to coordinated efforts by ECOWAS, member states, and international partners.

Commodore Ibok also outlined the objectives of Operation Safe Domain III, focusing on enhancing the capacity of navies and maritime security agencies, promoting information exchange and cooperation, and creating a safe environment for maritime commerce.

He acknowledged the contributions of Zone E Member States, ECOWAS, and international partners in supporting the Centre’s mission.

While officially flagging off the operatiin, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla expressed optimism for a successful outcome, fostering better cooperation, faster information exchange, and improved interoperability to ensure the safety and security of the maritime space

The launch of Operation Safe Domain III represents a significant milestone in addressing maritime security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea, demonstrating the commitment of ECOWAS Member States to work collaboratively in securing their maritime domain.