Leaders of West African navies met in Lomé, Togo, aiming to strengthen sea safety.
They came from various countries and represented the Economic Community of West African States or ECOWAS.
The meeting’s goal was to review how well regional Maritime Centers are doing.
The Togolese Navy Chief kicked off the meeting. He praised the member states for putting resources into sea safety. He stressed that working together is key for peace and security.
Barros Bacar Banjai, the ECOWAS rep in Togo, shared some good news. He said sea attacks have gone down a lot in recent years.
In 2018, there were 68 attacks. This number fell to 15 in 2022. He credited this drop to better teamwork among countries and help from the world community.
Kokou Edem Tenguy, Togo’s Maritime Minister, spoke next. He said a lot of goods pass through West African waters.
This helps the economy but also invites risks like piracy. Togo is committed to playing its part in reducing these risks, he added.
Two types of centers help keep the seas safe. One is the Regional Center for Maritime Security in West Africa, located in Côte d’Ivoire.
The other type is called Multinational Maritime Coordination Centers. Both have been crucial in cutting down piracy and theft at sea.
This meeting happened at the same time as another big event. The 7th International Symposium of the Gulf of Guinea was also taking place in Lomé.
This larger event allowed for a wider discussion about challenges and solutions in the region.
In summary, ECOWAS aims to keep improving sea safety through teamwork and shared resources.
This effort has already led to fewer attacks and a safer environment for trade and travel.