The go to to Lagos, held together with OE23, included engagements on the Western Navy Command, Naval Airbase Ojo, and the Joint Maritime Safety Coaching Heart. The conferences targeted on enhancing relationships with senior authorities and army leaders and underscored the longstanding significance of U.S.-African maritime cooperation on mutual safety pursuits inside the area.
Throughout the OE23 opening ceremony held on the Naval Dockyard, Ishee delivered remarks alongside U.S. Consul Basic Will Stevens and the Flag Officer Commanding of Nigeria’s Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Yakubu Wambai.
“The worldwide significance and huge scale of the waters surrounding Africa supplies a chance to work with our African companions to resolve transnational points,” stated Ishee. “The work completed throughout Obangame Categorical strengthens regional cooperation and belief, making certain African nations can proceed defending their coastal sources and sovereign waters.”
Over the past decade, the US has steadily elevated maritime safety cooperation with companions on Africa’s Atlantic coast to enhance maritime area consciousness functionality and talent to guard their sovereign waters. A strong partnership between the US and African nations is important to realize our shared priorities of strengthening free and open worldwide order.
“Maritime safety isn’t a one nation obligation. Army workouts equivalent to Obangame Categorical are a part of a long-standing complete technique by the U.S. authorities to supply collaborative alternatives amongst African forces and worldwide companions that handle maritime safety considerations equivalent to trafficking in individuals, narcotics, unlawful fishing, and piracy,” stated Stevens.
Nigeria maintains the most important navy within the Gulf of Guinea area and is vital to safety and stability in Africa. Wambai expounded on the significance of the train and continued regional cooperation amongst Gulf of Guinea nations in the course of the train’s opening ceremony.
“The challenges within the maritime area require extra collaboration and knowledge sharing. We’re requesting our companions enhance this — significantly members of the general public, to carry forth credible info wanted to reinforce security and safety within the maritime area,” stated Wambai.
Performed by U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF) and sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), OE23 is designed to enhance regional cooperation, information-sharing practices, and tactical interdiction experience to reinforce the collective capabilities of taking part nations to counter Unlawful, Unreported, Unregulated (IUU) fishing and different sea-based illicit exercise.
The 33 nations taking part in OE23 embody Angola, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Canada, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Italy, Liberia, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, Togo, and the US. Additionally taking part would be the Financial Group of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Financial Group of Central African States (ECCAS).
For greater than 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) 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 duty. 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.
