Grand African NEMO 2025 launched to strengthen Gulf of Guinea maritime security

The Grand African NEMO 2025 maritime exercise was officially launched on Monday, 10 November, at Christiansborg Castle (Osu Castle) in a ceremony attended by Ghanaian naval authorities, international partners, and regional stakeholders, reaffirming a shared commitment to bolstering security across the Gulf of Guinea.

Commodore Stephen Billins Nyam, Deputy Chief Staff Officer (Operations & Training), in his opening remarks, expressed gratitude to the French Navy and Cyclops for their continued support of the initiative, which has grown in scale and significance since its inception.

“This ceremony marks the launch of SSI Grand African NEMO 2025. Co-organised by the Yaoundé Architecture and the French Navy, the exercise enables our Navy, Coast Guard, and Maritime Coordination Centres to address maritime challenges in the Gulf of Guinea, particularly within Zone F,” Commodore Nyam stated.

Over the course of seven days, Ghanaian naval forces, in cooperation with French and Spanish counterparts, will deploy vessels and conduct operational scenarios including tackling illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, piracy, drug and human trafficking, and maritime pollution.

“While we have observed a decline in threats such as piracy in recent years, this should not cause us to lower our guard. We are grateful to France and our partners for supporting us in this ongoing fight,” he added.

The exercise is designed to enhance inter-agency cooperation, information sharing, and coordinated responses to maritime threats, reinforcing Ghana’s commitment to creating a safer and more secure maritime environment within Zone F.

“NMC Zone F and all member states reaffirm our commitment to continue and strengthen the security of our maritime space. Let us work together to create a safer, more secure, and more prosperous maritime environment,” Commodore Nyam concluded.

French Ambassador Highlights Regional Collaboration

Diarra Dime Labille, Ambassador of France to Ghana, welcomed participants from across the Gulf of Guinea and international partners, describing the exercise as more than a routine military drill.

“African NEMO goes beyond just another military exercise; it is a solid demonstration of our mutual commitment to maritime security and regional cooperation,” she said.

Ambassador Labille emphasised the exercise’s role in strengthening the capacities of navies and maritime agencies across the region, stretching from Mauritania to Angola. She noted that temporary absences, such as that of Côte d’Ivoire, do not diminish the collaborative spirit of the event.

She highlighted the importance of the Yaoundé Architecture in partnership with the French Navy, and pointed to the presence of the French landing helicopter dock LHD Etona and the Spanish frigate El Royo as evidence of strong international commitment.

The Ambassador also lauded the support of the European Union, its member states, and the U.S. Quartet through initiatives such as the European Peace Facility, which strengthen regional maritime capabilities.

“France remains fully committed to supporting Ghana in the protection of its national interests,” she affirmed, referencing the recent bilateral meeting between the French and Guinean Presidents during the Paris Peace Forum on 30 October.

Ambassador Labille also highlighted sustainable fisheries as a priority, citing the Conference on Sustainable Fisheries held in Accra on October 1, which emphasised the need to combat illegal fishing and preserve fishery resources for economic development and ocean conservation.

“May Grand African NEMO 2025 be an opportunity to strengthen our capacity, share our expertise, and promote sustainable and effective maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea,” she concluded.

ECOWAS MMCC Zone F Underlines Strategic Importance

Deputy Director of the ECOWAS Multinational Maritime Centre (MMCC) Zone F, Edem Komla Akati, provided a detailed overview of the exercise, noting that it forms part of a continuing effort to strengthen regional maritime cooperation under the Yaoundé Architecture, established after the 2013 Yaoundé Summit.

“The scope of the operations covers the entire Gulf of Guinea from Senegal to Angola and involves the various member states, led by navies or coast guards, working in partnership with other maritime stakeholders,” Mr Akati explained.

He highlighted the involvement of numerous international partners, including the European Union, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), INTERPOL, and specialised fisheries and maritime agencies.

France and the Yaoundé Architecture continue to play a decisive role in supporting capacity-building and operational coordination among coastal states.

Mr Akati emphasised that exercises like GANo25 are critical not only for responding to existing threats but also for maintaining proactive preparedness:

“Even in the absence of crime, member states and partners conduct training and exercises to prepare for potential incidents. This proactive approach has contributed to a significant decline in piracy and maritime crime over the past five years, particularly in our Zone F domain.”

Strategic Importance of the Gulf of Guinea

Stretching over 5,700 kilometres of West African coastline, the Gulf of Guinea is a region of immense economic significance due to its rich oil, fisheries, and mineral resources. Its strategic position along major international shipping routes has historically made it a hotspot for maritime insecurity.

Exercises such as Grand African NEMO 2025 are vital in maintaining regional stability, enhancing operational readiness, and fostering international collaboration.

With the eighth edition now underway, GANo25 continues to serve as a cornerstone of regional maritime security, bringing together navies, coast guards, and international partners to address both present and emerging threats in one of the world’s most strategically significant maritime regions.

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