CE 23, sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and led by U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF), is designed to advertise nationwide and regional safety within the Western Indian Ocean, improve interoperability between the U.S., African nations, and worldwide companions, and enhance mixed maritime legislation enforcement capability within the area.
“We look ahead to working collectively, exercising collectively, and strengthening maritime safety, together with unlawful, unreported, and unregulated fishing,” mentioned Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley, commanding normal, Mixed Joint Process Power-Horn of Africa. “This train will guarantee mutual prosperity for our African companion nations, your success is our success.”
CE23 is one in every of three NAVAF-facilitated regional workout routines that gives collaborative alternatives for African, U.S., and worldwide companions to deal with shared transnational maritime issues. NAVAF’s ongoing maritime safety cooperation with African companions focuses on maritime security and safety by means of elevated maritime consciousness, response capabilities, and infrastructure.
This train leverages the Jeddah Modification to the Djibouti Code of Conduct, adopted in 2017 and used to construct upon info dissemination techniques and implementing marine rule of legislation. The taking part nations will train their capabilities in disrupting illicit trafficking, piracy, unlawful, unreported, unregulated (IUU) fishing, and oil bunkering.
The train will enhance Maritime Area Consciousness (MDA), info sharing between Maritime Operation Facilities (MOCs), maritime interdiction, adherence to the rule of legislation, and counter-proliferation interdiction capabilities with a purpose to disrupt illicit maritime exercise and strengthen security and safety in East Africa.
This yr’s train shall be based mostly in Djibouti, Kenya, and Mauritius, with a number of shore-based and at-sea coaching occasions alongside the jap coast of Africa. Moreover, CE23 shall be linked with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s Worldwide Maritime Train, eliminating regional seams and rising mixed world capabilities and interoperability.
“Safety in East Africa, the Indian Ocean, and in Africa as an entire, issues for world stability,” mentioned Rear Adm. Robert Nowakowski, vice commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. “By deterring piracy, stopping illicit trafficking, and stopping unlawful fishing, we’re making the world safer. By working collectively, we will deal with these challenges in a approach that no single nation can by itself.”
The U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa band additionally carried out on the opening ceremony in Djibouti and plan to carry out at venues throughout Djibouti Metropolis through the train.
“Music is a approach that we join as companions,” mentioned U.S. Navy Capt. Brian Iber, commanding officer, Camp Lemonnier. “This live performance sequence works to complement the enduring relationship between U.S. service members at Camp Lemonnier and Djiboutians who’re neighbors and part of a bigger group.”
The 14 nations scheduled to take part in CE23 embody Canada, Comoros, Djibouti, France, Georgia, Greece, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Tanzania, United Kingdom, and the US.
The U.S. shares a typical curiosity with African companion nations in making certain safety, security, and freedom of navigation on the waters surrounding the continent, as a result of these waters are important for Africa’s prosperity and entry to world markets.
AFRICOM, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, is one in every of 11 U.S. Division of Protection combatant instructions, every with a geographic or practical mission that gives command and management of army forces in peace and battle. AFRICOM employs the broad-reaching diplomacy, growth, and protection strategy to foster interagency efforts and assist negate the drivers of battle and extremism in Africa.
For greater than 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa has solid strategic relationships with allies and companions, leveraging a basis of shared values to protect safety and stability.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces within the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of accountability. U.S. Sixth Fleet is completely assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF and employs maritime forces by means of the complete spectrum of joint and naval operations.
