Italian Patrol vessel made a brief stop to strengthen maritime security within the Gulf of Guinea.
Monrovia, Liberia – November 8, 2024: An Italian Naval Patrol Vessel, “Comandante Borsini (P491)”, over the weekend ducked at the Freeport of Monrovia as guest of the Liberian government aimed at strengthening Maritime security within the Gulf of Guinea.
Speaking at a ceremony held on board the Vessel, the commander of the Italian Naval Patrol Vessel “Comandante Borsini (P491)”, Captain Naval Vessel Ugo Giglio, said he and his crew were honored by the presence of NPA Managing Director Hon. Sekou A.M. Dukuly and the Diplomatic corps, as well as an array of government officials onboard the vessel at the Freeport of Monrovia.
Captain Giglio said the Italian Navy carries out two deployments in the Gulf of Guinea every year as an exercise to reinforce maritime security, which is called “the Obangame Express and the Grand African Nemo.” Additionally, according to him, the initiative is intended to strengthen and improve the level of cooperation and interoperability with navies and coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea.
Captain Giglio, who emphasized the importance of this exercise, furthered that it supports the local population by securing direct delivery of medical equipment, medicines, toys, and other services to countries in the Gulf of Guinea. He also said that guaranteeing Maritime Security underscores actions aimed at protecting not only the National interest at sea but also ensures the deterrence and fight against terrorism and illegal activities such as illicit and human trafficking, pollution, destruction of underwater infrastructures, exploitation of Marine resources and especially in combating the phenomenon of piracy at sea.
For her part, European Union Ambassador to Liberia Nona Deprez described the arrival of the Italian Naval Vessel as a milestone and the opening of a new chapter in the EU’s commitment to fostering relationships with Liberia and West Africa. She said it was a testament to the bonds of friendship and cooperation that unite Liberia and the European Union.
Ambassador Deprez said, “Maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea entails risks and threats ranging from piracy and armed robbery at sea to the consequences of illicit, unregulated, and unreported fishing (ICC), including trafficking of drugs and arms, human trafficking at sea, criminality in ports, which affect pollution, and climate change on the maritime environment and its users.”
The EU Ambassador said the naval operations conducted by the EU under the common security and defense policy implement coordinated maritime presences (CMP). This tool, according to the Ambassador, will enhance the coordination of existing member states’ naval and air assets present in specific areas that are of interest to the EU around the world.
Ambassador Deprez stressed that the EU’s support to the Gulf of Guinea region in the field of maritime security remains focused on operationalizing the Yaounde interregional Architecture. According to Ambassador Deprez, since the launch of the Maritime Security Presence concept in 2021, the EU has increased its capacity to act as a reliable partner and maritime security provider in line with the EU’s integrated approach.
Also speaking at the ceremony, NPA Managing Director Hon. Sekou A. M. Dukuly lauded the initiatives of the Italian Naval and the EU aimed at providing maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea against pirates, on-sea armed robbery, illicit drug and human trafficking, and pollution.
Hon. Dukuly said the National Port Authority, which is the gateway to the Liberian economy, needs immense support from the National Government, which would affect the infrastructure development of all ports in Liberia. He praised the European Union for its aid in the region aimed at building the capacities of all actors involved in implementing policies intended to secure the region’s waters.
The NPA Managing Director said the European Union’s allocation of twenty million (20M) United States dollars for the new Safe Seas for Africa program, which began in 2024 and is expected to end in 2027, is commendable.
The NPA boss called on West African countries to work together on maritime security, adding that protecting the oceans and preserving marine ecosystems for future generations remains an obligation of all Africans.
The Program was attended by Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow-Nyanti, the British Ambassador to Liberia, the US chargé d’affaires, the French Ambassador to Liberia, the ECOWAS Ambassador to Liberia, and an array of government officials.
