West African countries, including Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, and Niger Republic, have launched Operation Safe Domain II to combat maritime crimes and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. The collaborative effort aims to eradicate illicit maritime activities that have been plaguing the region and jeopardizing both economic development and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
The initiative is a result of the Memorandum of Understanding on Joint Maritime Operations and Patrols (JMOP) agreed upon by the participating countries. The Director of the Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC) Zone E, Commodore Aniedi Ibok, emphasized the significance of the operation, as it aims to ensure permanent, joint, and coordinated control of Maritime Zone E for maritime safety and security.
The operation, entirely sponsored by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Member States of Zone E, addresses the high rate of maritime crimes, such as piracy and sea robbery, reported in the Gulf of Guinea and West African waters. These security challenges not only hinder the economic development of the region but also pose a threat to the lives and property of coastal communities and seafarers.
The objectives of the patrols and joint operations include pooling the resources of the participating states, enhancing maritime resource interoperability, and evaluating the Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs). Additionally, the operation will seek to operationalize the right of hot pursuit according to the rules of engagement, multilateral and bilateral memoranda, in order to secure the maritime area of Maritime Zone E.
The strategy adopted for Operation Safe Domain II encompasses research and information exchange, maritime and air surveillance, and intervention by operational units when necessary. The aim is to enhance safety and security in the maritime domain of Zone E through operational patrols and a sustained force presence at sea. Cooperation among the Zone E countries’ navies and other maritime actors will be strengthened through capacity building in maritime law enforcement operations, intelligence sharing, and technical assistance.
The inaugural Operation Safe Domain I in November 2021, where Zone E navies contributed similar assets, yielded several successes. These included the improvement of intelligence sharing among member states and maritime stakeholders, as well as the arrest and trial of pirates and vessels involved in illicit activities.
For Operation Safe Domain II, a total water area of 105,746 square nautical miles will be patrolled and monitored by three ships and a helicopter. The collaboration between the four countries demonstrates their shared will to confront threats in the maritime domain and combat piracy in the region.
With this joint effort, West African countries aim to secure their waters, protect their sea lines of communication and trade, and promote economic prosperity. The operation highlights the increasing awareness among countries of the economic importance of maritime activities and the need for a safe and secure maritime domain.
The involvement of both regional organizations and individual countries in this collaborative operation is seen as a crucial step toward developing naval capacity and ensuring a safer maritime environment. It is hoped that the objectives of this initiative will be achieved, paving the way for further joint and combined operations that will benefit the entire region.
